Optical device and associated methods
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FLIR SYSTEMS TRADING BELGIUM BVBA
- Publication Date
- 2011-11-10
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
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Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Embodiments are directed to an optical device and associated methods. More particularly, embodiments are directed to an optical device having enhanced performance and associated methods.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] There are advantages and disadvantages to most types of materials used to make optical surfaces, i.e., surfaces having optical power, both in manufacturing and performance. For example, polymer materials may allow a wide variety of shapes to be accurately realized, and may provide more degrees of freedom in making wafer based optical elements. However, such materials may suffer from high temperature dependence of optical characteristics, e.g., refractive index, and mechanical characteristics, e.g., surface shape. Further, when a thickness of polymer material needed to create a specific lens design increases, excessive shrinkage and shape deformation may occur. In contrast, while glass has a relatively low coeffici...