US3814504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reflecting lens array
Assignee: UNIVERSAL TECHNOLOGY
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Filing: 1972-04-28
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A reflecting-type fly''s eye lens array is described having extremely high resolution capabilities. By means of photoresist techniques, a first array of similar reflecting surfaces are formed on each of a first multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces of a transparent medium and a second array of similar reflecting surfaces are formed on each of a second multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces of a transparent medium. The surfaces of the two multitudes are aligned with each other in one-to-one relationship so that each curved surface of the first multitude has a common optical axis with a corresponding curved surface of the second multitude. In addition, the reflecting surfaces of the first and second arrays are shaped in the characteristic ring and dot patterns of a Cassegrain or Gregorian lens; and the curvatures of the reflecting surfaces are selected such that electromagnetic radiation incident upon each ring-shaped reflective surface is reflected to the corresponding dot-shaped reflective surface. As a result, a multitude of small reflecting lenses are formed having an extremely high resolution that permits the fabrication by photoresist techniques of elements having submicron dimensions.
Inventors
- 👤 J Brady
- 👤 W Grill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B17/00; G02B17/08; G02B17/0856; G02B17/086; G02B17/002; G02B17/0804; G02B17/0808; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0056; G02B3/0062; G02B3/0068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A fly''s eye lens comprising a multitude of small reflecting lenses having a finite focal length, each of said lenses comprising first and second curved surfaces defined in and integral with a transparent medium and first and second reflective means defined on said first and second surfaces, respectively, said first and second reflective means being aligned with each other and having appropriate shape and curvature that incident electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through portions of the second curved surfaces over which the second reflective means do not extend, is reflected by the first reflective means to the second reflective means, and is reflected by the second reflective means through portions of the first curved surfaces over which the first reflective means dO not extend.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A fly''s eye lens comprising a multitude of small reflecting lenses having a finite focal length, each of said lenses comprising first and second curved surfaces defined in and integral with a transparent medium and first and second reflective means defined on said first and second surfaces, respectively, said first and second reflective means being aligned with each other and having appropriate shape and curvature that incident electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through portions of the second curved surfaces over which the second reflective means do not extend, is reflected by the first reflective means to the second reflective means, and is reflected by the second reflective means through portions of the first curved surfaces over which the first reflective means dO not extend.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fly''s seye lens of claim 1 wherein the first and second curved reflecting surfaces are spherical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The fly''s eye lens of claim 2 wherein: the first spherical reflecting surface has a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of curvature of the second spherical reflecting surface; the first reflecting surface is smaller in extent than the second reflecting surface; and the second reflecting surface is annular in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fly''s eye lens of claim 3 wherein the reflecting lens have an f-number of less than approximately 2.1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fly''s eye lens of claim 1 wherein each reflecting lens is a Cassegrain-type reflecting lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fly''s eye lens of claim 5 wherein each reflecting lens has first and second spherical reflecting surfaces that have the same center of curvature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
225 words
Optical apparatus having a finite focal length comprising: a first transparent medium on the surface of which and integral thereto is defined a first multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces; first reflective means disposed on each of the first multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces, each of said first reflective means having a similar shape; a second transparent medium on the surface of which and integral thereto is defined a second multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces; and second reflective means disposed on each of the second multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces, each of said second reflective means having a similar shape, the curved surfaces in said first and second multitudes being aligned with each other in one-to-one relationship so that each of substantially all curved surfaces of the first multitude has a common optical axis with a corresponding curved surface of the second multitude, the curvatures of the surfaces of the first and second multitudes and the shapes of the first and second reflective means being such that incident electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through portions of the second curved surfaces over which the second reflective means do not extend, is reflected by most first reflective means to a corresponding second reflective means, and is reflected therefrom through portions of the corresponding first curved surfaces over which the first reflective means do not extend.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
225 words
Optical apparatus having a finite focal length comprising: a first transparent medium on the surface of which and integral thereto is defined a first multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces; first reflective means disposed on each of the first multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces, each of said first reflective means having a similar shape; a second transparent medium on the surface of which and integral thereto is defined a second multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces; and second reflective means disposed on each of the second multitude of substantially identical curved surfaces, each of said second reflective means having a similar shape, the curved surfaces in said first and second multitudes being aligned with each other in one-to-one relationship so that each of substantially all curved surfaces of the first multitude has a common optical axis with a corresponding curved surface of the second multitude, the curvatures of the surfaces of the first and second multitudes and the shapes of the first and second reflective means being such that incident electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through portions of the second curved surfaces over which the second reflective means do not extend, is reflected by most first reflective means to a corresponding second reflective means, and is reflected therefrom through portions of the corresponding first curved surfaces over which the first reflective means do not extend.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical apparatus of claim 7 wherein the curved surfaces of the first and second multitudes of surfaces are spherical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: the spherical surfaces of the first multitude of surfaces have a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of curvature of the spherical surfaces of the second multitude of surfaces; the first reflective means is smaller in extent than the second reflective means; and the second reflective means is annular in shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical apparatus of claim 9 wherein corresponding spherical surfaces of the first and second multitudes of spherical surfaces have the same center of curvature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical apparatus of claim 9 wherein corresponding first and second reflective means constitute a lens having an f-number of less than approximately 2.1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |