US4518222A
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US
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Optical device and method
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1983-12-08
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Granted: 1985-05-21
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Expires: 2003-12-08
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an improved optical device of the type disclosed in application Ser. No. 520,456 and embodying an array of lenses integral with and raised above a crystalline matrix. The improvement comprises an ion-exchanged surface on the lenses wherein the lithium ion from the lens glass is exchanged with a larger monovalent ion, preferably sodium or potassium from a bath, and the contents of such alkali metal ions in the lens are defined by both radial and axial concentration gradients. The device may be heated above the glass strain point to relieve stress and enhance lens power, either simultaneously with or subsequent to the ion exchange.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas F. Borrelli
- 👤 Donald M. Trotter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; C; C03; C03C; C03C21/00; C03C21/001; C03C21/002; G02B1/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An optical device composed of a photonucleable, crystallizable, lithium silicate glass body having a clear glass lens array integral with and rising above at least one surface, each lens being surrounded by a crystallized glass matrix, and being characterized by a layer extending below the lens surface wherein the lithium ion content is below the glass composition norm, the content of a larger, exchangeable alkali metal ion is greater than the glass norm for that ion, and the distribution of such alkali metal ion in the lens is defined by both radial and axial concentration gradients.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An optical device composed of a photonucleable, crystallizable, lithium silicate glass body having a clear glass lens array integral with and rising above at least one surface, each lens being surrounded by a crystallized glass matrix, and being characterized by a layer extending below the lens surface wherein the lithium ion content is below the glass composition norm, the content of a larger, exchangeable alkali metal ion is greater than the glass norm for that ion, and the distribution of such alkali metal ion in the lens is defined by both radial and axial concentration gradients.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the larger monovalent ion is sodium or potassium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the glass body has a clear glass lens array integral with and rising above two opposite surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lens surfaces are essentially stress-free and the normal optical power is enhanced.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical device composed of a photonucleable, crystallizable, lithium silicate, glass body having an array of lens systems in parallel relation and extending through the glass body, each lens system comprising a cylindrical rod of clear glass culminating at opposed surfaces of the glass body as spherical-shaped lenses forming lens arrays on the opposite surfaces, being characterized by a layer extending below the lens surface wherein the lithium ion content is below the glass composition norm, the content of a larger, exchangeable alkali metal ion is greater than the glass norm for that ion, and the distribution of such alkali metal ion in the lens is defined by both radial and axial concentration gradients.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical device composed of a photonucleable, crystallizable, lithium silicate, glass body having an array of lens systems in parallel relation and extending through the glass body, each lens system comprising a cylindrical rod of clear glass culminating at opposed surfaces of the glass body as spherical-shaped lenses forming lens arrays on the opposite surfaces, being characterized by a layer extending below the lens surface wherein the lithium ion content is below the glass composition norm, the content of a larger, exchangeable alkali metal ion is greater than the glass norm for that ion, and the distribution of such alkali metal ion in the lens is defined by both radial and axial concentration gradients.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the larger monovalent ion is sodium or potassium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the lens surfaces are essentially stress-free and the normal optical power is enhanced.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of making an optical device wherein a photonucleable, lithium silicate glass body is selectively crystallized to provide a crystalline matrix surrounding each lens in an array of spherical-shaped clear lenses integral with and rising above the matrix surface characterized by the improvement whereby a larger monovalent ion from an external source is exchanged for the lithium ion in a layer beneath the surface on the clear lenses to create variable alkali metal ion concentrations defined by both radial and axial concentration gradients.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of making an optical device wherein a photonucleable, lithium silicate glass body is selectively crystallized to provide a crystalline matrix surrounding each lens in an array of spherical-shaped clear lenses integral with and rising above the matrix surface characterized by the improvement whereby a larger monovalent ion from an external source is exchanged for the lithium ion in a layer beneath the surface on the clear lenses to create variable alkali metal ion concentrations defined by both radial and axial concentration gradients.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the ion-exchanged lenses are heated above the glass strain point to release compressive stresses and enhance the optical power of the lenses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the ion exchange is effected above the glass strain point whereby the exchange and heat treatment are simultaneous.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the ion exchange is effected from a molten salt bath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein the salt bath is at a temperature above the glass strain point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the larger monovalent ion is sodium or potassium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2628160A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-20 | 1988-11-19 | 1989-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-20 | 1992-11-19 | 1993-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-20 | 1996-11-19 | 1997-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |