Method and apparatus for replicating microstructured optical masks

• Main Author: SCHWERDTNER ARMIN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 08.08.2007
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS; HOLOGRAPHY; INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULARARTICLES; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHOTOGRAPHY; PHYSICS; PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCESIN A PLASTIC STATE; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for replicating planar, thin-layered, and microstructured flat lens systems and optical masks (LM) that are provided with such microstructured lens systems which are hardened from a highly viscous transparent fluid on a supporting substrate plate (TP). The fluid is introduced between a plate-shaped master plate (M) and a movable supporting substrate plate and remains joined to said substrate plate after hardening. The inventive method is carried out in a non-rotational manner while the molding space is not delimited by sidewalls or similar in the direction of expansion of the fluid. The inventive flat lens systems or optical masks are embodied as lenticulars, field lenses, or Fresnel lenses. The final shape of the mask is homogeneous, has a geometrically accurate layer thickness, and is free from air pockets. The inventive method and apparatus allow for controlled replication at great geometrical accuracy and extremely good optical quality.