System for attaching optical components

Abstract

A system and method for fixing an optical component for applying treatments and deposits on at least one surface of the component without producing sparse areas on the surface. The system comprises an optical component holder in the form of a flange (10), the flange being provided with two branches (11a, 11b), the two branches being connected at a first of their ends by a spring link (12) and being provided at a second of their ends with facing tabs (15a, 15b) and means (13, 14) for bringing the tabs together, the means for bringing the tabs together being suitable for fastening the branches to an edge (2) of the component (1). The method comprises the steps of positioning the optical component holder in the form of a flange around the edge (2) of the optical component, and fastening the flange to the edge of the optical component, wherein the front surface (16) of the flange is positioned so as to be recessed from or flush with the surface to be treated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of surface treatment of optical components, and in particular to a system for attaching an optical component to treat its surface.

[0002] Systems for attaching optical components to apply surface treatments thereto must avoid including components that interfere with the treatment and the surface to be treated. Conversely, in conjunction with deposition of thin layers with the GLAD process (Glancing Angle Deposition), the attachment must take into account the effects of significant shadowing associated with the orientation of the optical component relative to the direction of the evaporation flow. Background Art

[0003] The general configuration for positioning and attaching optical components in a frame for the deposition of thin layers consists briefly of placing the component on a support comprising a plane for annular placement on the component. The negative effect of this is that, during deposition, in the case of no treatment and depending on the shape and size of the placement plane, sparse areas are produced at the periphery and, in the case of GAD-type deposition, additional shadow areas are produced. The necessity of adjusting the component on the annular placement plane leads to the component resting on the frame not being treated. In fact, since the frame has an additional thickness in this case, the frame partially shades the surface to be treated when the treatment is carried out at a large incidence relative to the surface to be treated, for example during GLAD-type treatment.

[0004] Sparse areas created by conventional deposition (with the optical component perpendicular to the evaporation stream) are generally not important when the optical component is finally assembled in a cartridge and no contact is required between the treated surface and the cartridge with the support. In other cases, it is necessary to trim the component after processing to eliminate the sparse areas. For high-performance optical components, such trimming is not desirable or even possible, and therefore very costly, and trimming operations are almost always completed before component processing or finishing.

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] In the case of deposition by the GLAD process, the problem is further accentuated, since the deposit-free zones are much more extensive, as shown in FIG. 1 , which shows a prior art device for holding an optical component A with a support B. In the case of deposition of a thin layer on an optical component A with an evaporation flow 100 according to the GLAD process, the effect of the shadow D is unacceptable due to the carrier part C of the support B, since it creates inhomogeneous zones that do not allow the index of the layer to be controlled. These zones can be greatly extended depending on the angle of incidence of the flow on the optical component.

[0007] Another problem is that the components to be processed are often placed on holders that do not allow the component to be processed all the way to its edge, which can prove troublesome since high-performance optical components cannot be reworked by machining after processing.

[0008] To avoid shadowing effects during GLAD deposition, a common configuration cannot be used. No mechanical elements of the support must be positioned in the evaporation path between the source and the surface to be treated. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention solves these problems and is directed to an attachment system for performing deposition under any experimental conditions (maximum incidence and azimuthal rotation of the optical components) without generating sparse and shadowed areas.

[0010] The principle of the invention is based on a system for attaching by yoking / clamping a section of an optical component using a yoking / clamping device applied to a section or edge of an optical component and comprising a front surface that is recessed relative to the surface to be processed or possibly flush with it but does not extend beyond this surface of the component to be processed. The attachment system is also a system for holding the component in position to process it.

[0011] More precisely, according to one aspect of the present invention, an attachment system for an optical component is proposed, which is used to apply treatment and deposition on at least one surface of the component without producing sparse areas on the surface. The attachment system includes an optical component holder in the form of a flange, which is provided with two facing branches, which are shaped to be applied on two sides of a section of the optical component, and the two facing branches are connected at a first end of their ends by a spring link and are provided with facing tabs and a member for bringing the tabs together at a second end of their ends, and the member for bringing the tabs together is suitable for fastening the branches to the edge of the component.

[0012] This easy-to-implement component holder serves to hold the component while leaving the surface to be treated completely free and without disturbing the surface to be treated of the component.

[0013] The features of the system disclosed in the following paragraphs can be implemented optionally. The features can be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other.

[0014] The component holder is advantageously metal and preferably stainless steel. This material grips the optical component well, conducts heat perfectly and makes the temperature of the treated component uniform.

[0015] The spring link is advantageously U-shaped.

[0016] The component holder is preferably thinner than the thickness of the branches, and comprises two segments extending radially outward from the flange, the two segments being connected at a first of their ends to the branches and at a second of their ends to the arc segment providing the elasticity of the spring link. Thus, the spring link, which has a thickness thinner than the thickness of the curved branches, is more elastic than the branches, and the segments forming the U-shaped branches can deflect toward each other when the tabs are fastened by means of the approaching members that fasten the flange to the optical component.

[0017] The means for drawing together can include a screw that passes through one of the tabs and engages with a thread of the other of the tabs to secure the branch to the edge.

[0018] The system can include a fixture for mounting one or more of the flanges on one or more of the optical components, the fixture consisting of a block provided with an upper surface, in which a groove is cleared, the groove being provided with a lower surface surrounded on two opposite sides by converging walls and constituting a plane for placing optical components of various diameters in a retaining position wedged between the walls, wherein the upper surface forms a reference surface for placing the flange on the edge of the optical component.

[0019] The fixture is used to equip one or more optical components with their flanges of different diameters.

[0020] The attachment system can include one or more annular spacers adapted to be inserted between the placement plane and the optical component having the convex surface to be processed.

[0021] The system can comprise a support in which one or more optical components to be processed, equipped with the flange, are arranged, and the support comprises a front surface constituted by the front surface of the deposition tray, the front surface being pierced by an opening through which the surface to be processed of the optical component is fully accessible. To this end, the optical component is advantageously positioned in its flange and mounted on the deposition tray so as to be flush with the front surface of the deposition tray. In this case, the flange will be mounted recessed from the surface to be processed of the optical component so as to at least compensate for the thickness of the tray below the flange.

[0022] It should be noted that the bracket can be used with a yoke / clamping device consisting of a flange, which is provided with two branches, which are connected at a first end of their ends by a spring link and at a second end of their ends are provided with facing webs and a member for bringing the webs together, however, clamping devices such as flanges equipped with different fastening members or spring devices can be used with this bracket.

[0023] The attachment system can include a rear cover provided with means for attaching the bracket to the processing module.

[0024] The cover can include a peripheral wall adapted to receive the optical component and flange between the cover and the deposition tray.

[0025] Advantageously, the front surface of the flange is received in a recess on the rear surface of the deposition tray, and the tail-type outer plate housed in the bracket and fixed to the rear of the tray includes an annular crown and a rear wall, wherein the annular crown is supported on the rear surface of the flange from the side opposite to the side to be processed of the optical component, and the rear wall faces the rear surface of the optical component and protects the rear surface to avoid the generation of parasitic deposits on the rear surface.

[0026] The cover and the deposition tray are fixed together by a screw, such as a knurled screw, which passes through the cover and is screwed into the first threaded hole of the deposition tray.

[0027] The present application further proposes a method for attaching one or more optical components for preparation to perform a method for deposition on at least one optical surface to be processed for the component, the method comprising: a step of positioning an optical component holder in the form of a flange according to the present application on the edge of the optical component and a step of fastening the flange to the edge of the optical component, wherein the front surface of the flange is positioned to be recessed from the surface to be processed or flush with the surface to be processed.

[0028] The features of the method disclosed in the following paragraphs can be implemented optionally. The features can be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other.

[0029] Prior to positioning and fastening the flange on the optical component, the method may include a step of positioning and wedging the optical component between the walls of a fixture according to the present application by sliding a component, the component being supported or not supported on the placement plane of the fixture by an annular gasket depending on whether the surface to be processed of the component is convex, wherein the step of positioning and fastening the optical component holder on the optical component is accomplished by supporting the component wedged between the wall and the flange on the upper surface of the fixture, followed by a step of removing the fixture from the component equipped with the flange.

[0030] In this way, the flange fastened to the edge of the optical component is positioned precisely relative to the surface of the optical component to be treated.

[0031] Similarly, optical components can be positioned in their flanges by means of a fixture to make the front surface of the deposition tray flush when their flanges are mounted on the deposition tray.

[0032] According to an important aspect of the present invention, for one or more optical components, the method can include:

[0033] - placing the component equipped with said flange on a deposition tray with an opening through which the surface to be processed of said optical component is accessible, wherein the front surface of said flange is received in a recess in the rear surface of said deposition tray;

[0034] - attaching a tail-type outer plate to the rear of the tray so as to press the optical components against the rear surface, wherein the tail-type outer plate comprises an annular crown for each of the optical components bearing on the rear surface of the flange from the side opposite to the side to be treated of the optical component;

[0035] - attaching the tray assembly, the flanged optical component and the tail-type outer plate in a cover of a support, wherein the cover comprises a peripheral wall adapted to accommodate the tail-type outer plate, the optical component and the flange between a rear surface of the cover and the deposition tray.

[0036] The method can further include attaching the support to a process module of a deposition machine.

[0037] Therefore, the device and method of the present invention are used to ensure that the optical component is optimally held on a deposition machine, which comprises a component for: moving the support, specifically rotating the support according to the azimuth angle, thereby ensuring that the optical component is aligned in its support, achieving deposition on more than 100% of the treated surface and avoiding shadowing effects.

[0038] Furthermore, the apparatus and method of the present application are used to perform deposition on two surfaces of an optical component one after another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Other features, details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a stent device in the prior art;

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the principle of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 A perspective view of a flange device of the present invention is shown;

[0043] Figure 4A , Figure 4B A first embodiment of a bracket for mounting the device of FIG. 1 on an optical component is shown in perspective and exploded views;

[0044] Figure 5A , Figure 5B A second embodiment of a bracket for mounting the device of FIG. 1 on an optical component is shown in perspective and exploded views;

[0045] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B The holder for the deposited optical components is shown from top and bottom perspective.

[0046] Figure 7 Shows Fig. 6A , 6B Exploded view of the bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following drawings and descriptions mostly contain elements of a specific nature. Therefore, they not only contribute to a better understanding of the invention, but also contribute to the understanding of the definition of the invention when necessary.

[0048] Reference now Figure 2 .

[0049] according to Figure 2 The principle of the present invention is to use a yoke / clamping device 10 which is applied to the section or edge 2 of the optical component 1 to be processed by a deposition process such as the GLAD process.

[0050] The device 10 comprises a front surface 16 which is recessed or flush, but does not extend beyond the surface 3 of the component to be treated. In this way, no obstacles interfere with the deposition performed by the vapor flow 100 .

[0051] according to Figure 3 , the component holder 10 is constituted by a spring effect flange.

[0052] According to the example described, the flange is provided with two branches 11a, 11b intended to be fastened around a section of the optical component. These branches are connected at a first of their ends by a spring link 12.

[0053] The U-shaped spring link comprises two sections 12a, 12b, whose free ends are radially connected to the branches, and the arc section 12c provides elasticity for the spring link. Compared with the branches, the thickness of the spring link is reduced to deflect more easily than the branches.

[0054] At its second end, one of the ends opposite to the spring link, each branch comprises a tab 15a, 15b radially outwards from the profile formed by the branch. The flange is provided with complementary fastening members 13, 14, which in the example shown are made of screws 14 passing through holes in tabs 15b and screwed into threaded holes 13 in tabs 15a. These fastening members can also be of another type, for example notched pawls from one of the tabs latching with complementary notches formed on the other tab.

[0055] The thickness of the flange is adjusted relative to the optical component to be processed and in particular can be chosen to be smaller than the lens thickness, similarly the shape and length of the flange branches are adjusted according to the lens to be held. The flange is made of metal and preferably stainless steel.

[0056] According to the example shown, the optical component or circular lens and the branches are curved and match the edge of the lens. The optical component can also be elliptical or polygonal and the branches can be adjusted according to the contour of said component.

[0057] The essential features of a component holder are that it is easily positionable on the edge of an optical component, that it securely holds the optical component once fastened thereto, and that it is sufficiently rigid in the axial direction so as not to be crushed when the component holder is fixed in a holder for handling the optical component and to make it easier to grip the component without touching it.

[0058] In addition to its low cost, implementing flanges made of stainless steel also allows for multiple cycles of tightening and loosening, allowing heating of the optical components as needed, as stainless steel is a good conductor of heat, and easy cleaning of the flanges.

[0059] Figure 4A and 4B A first embodiment of a device for placing a flange on a circular optical component is shown. This embodiment is suitable for optical components such as lenses comprising a concave surface or a flat surface to be processed. The placing device comprises a fixture 20 consisting of a block provided with an upper surface 25, in which a groove is cut which is provided with a lower surface 23, which is formed on two opposite sides. Figure 4B The converging walls are surrounded by the reference numerals 21 and 22. In this way, the groove width is continuously reduced to form a placement plane, and lenses 1a, 1b, 1c of different diameters are placed in a holding position wedged between the walls by sliding on the placement plane, so that the lenses are equipped with flanges 10a, 10b, 10c corresponding to their diameters.

[0060] It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to optical components such as lenses or bonded optical doublets.

[0061] The height of the walls 21 , 22 of the groove is calibrated so that the flanges 10 a , 10 b , 10 e placed on the upper surface 25 of the fixture are at a fixed distance from the surface to be processed of the lens positioned on the placement plane.

[0062] The resting plane 23 and the walls 21, 22 are preferably covered with a scratch-resistant material such as PTFE.

[0063] Figure 5A and5B Corresponding to the second embodiment of the device for placing the flange on the optical component. This embodiment is suitable for optical components, such as lenses 1d, 1e, which include a convex surface to be processed. Again, the placement device includes a fixture 20', which is provided with an upper surface 25' and a groove of decreasing width defining a surface 23', which is surrounded by converging walls 21', 22' on two opposite sides to form a plane for placing the optical component. On the contrary, since the surface of the lenses 1d, 1e is convex, it is impossible to slide the lenses directly on the placement plane to wedge them between the walls 21', 22'. In addition, in this case, the device further includes annular gaskets 24a, 24b, on which the edges of the surfaces to be processed of the lenses are placed. These lenses placed on their annular gaskets enter the reserved position between the walls by sliding on the placement plane to equip them with flanges 10d, 10e corresponding to their diameters. The annular gaskets are used to compensate for the curvature of the convex lenses to adjust the relative height between the lens surface 3 shown in Figure 1 and the front surface 16 of the flange 10.

[0064] In this embodiment, the annular gaskets 24a, 24b are covered with an anti-scratch material similar to the placement plane of the clamp.

[0065] The height of the walls 21 ', 22' is here chosen to compensate for the height of the spacers 24a, 24b so that when the flange rests on the upper surface 25' of the fixture, it can hold the optical component without passing over the side of the convex surface it is to treat.

[0066] exist Figure 4A and 4B In the example of FIG. 1 , three lenses 1a, 1b, 1c are shown, and Figure 5A and 5B In the example of FIG. 2 , two lenses 1d, 1e are shown. Thus, a longer or shorter fixture can be made to accommodate one or more lenses for the flange.

[0067] A method for equipping an optical component with a flange comprises wedging the optical component between the walls of the placement plane by sliding the component or sliding a spacer carrying the component on the surface of the placement plane until the component is wedged between the walls, then sliding the flange around the optical component until the flange rests on the upper wall of the fixture, and then fastening the flange's fastening members to the edges of the optical component.

[0068] Therefore, positioning the flange according to the thickness of the optical component is done with clamps that are specially machined and include a PTFE coating to avoid scratches during the placement and tightening of the flange to the optical component. The different widths of the grooves of these clamps and the different cutting depths allow the selection of a clamp that is suitable for any optical component.

[0069] The system for attaching optical components of the present application allows deposition of thin layers on optical components over the entire surface of the optical component, over both surfaces, at all possible angles of incidence, without generating sparse and shadowed areas.

[0070] Designed to not scratch optical components during handling, this system can be used for various shapes of plates, concave and convex lenses, filters, mirrors, etc. and can be easily adapted to any type of thin layer deposition machine.

[0071] Simple tightening of the spring effect flange allows reliable deposition attachment at temperatures up to 200°C.

[0072] Fig. 6A , 6B 7 and 7 show an example of a holder 30 for optical components for handling these components.

[0073] This support is thus defined for holding an optical component equipped with yoke / clamping means applied to a section or edge of the optical component and comprising a front surface that is recessed or flush but does not extend beyond the surface of the component to be treated.

[0074] According to this example, the holder is rectangular and accommodates optical components having three different diameters.

[0075] Fig. 6A and 6B The support 30 in the embodiment of the present invention comprises a rear cover 31 provided with a member 36 for attaching a module 40 for handling and manipulating the support of the deposition machine. The attachment member 36 may be a hole with a keyway, which receives the shaft 41 of the module, and a screw 42 screwed into the axial thread of the shaft 41 from the inside of the cover 31 for retaining the shaft in the hole 36. Alternatively, the hole 36 may be a threaded hole receiving the threaded shaft of the module. Figure 7 The support in which the optical component 1 to be processed is arranged comprises a front surface having an opening 320 through which the surface 3 to be processed of the optical component is accessible. This front surface is formed by a deposition tray 32.

[0076] The cover 31 includes a peripheral wall 31a for accommodating the optical component 1 and the flange 10, and also includes a tail-type outer plate 33 between the cover 31 and the deposition tray 32. The cover 31 and the deposition tray are fixed together by screws 35 such as knurled screws, which pass through the cover 31 and are screwed into first threaded holes 37 of the deposition tray 32, wherein these screws can easily assemble the deposition tray and the cover while the deposition tray is still equipped with the optical component and the tail-type outer plate.

[0077] The rear surface of the deposition tray includes recesses 32a that reproduce the contour of the flange, and the front part of the flange is received in these recesses 32a. Figure 7 The recess holds the flange laterally, preventing the flange from moving in the plane of the deposition tray.

[0078] When the flange is recessed from the optical surfaces to be processed of the optical component, these latter surfaces to be processed are received in the openings in the front surface to be flush with the front surface of the deposition tray, which allows the entire optical surface to be processed.

[0079] A tail-type outer plate 33 is applied on the rear surface of the optical components. For each optical component, this tail-type outer plate comprises an annular crown 33a applied to the flange from the side opposite to the side of the optical component to be treated. Here, the tail-type outer plate is fixed to the rear of the deposition tray by screws 34 received in second threaded holes 38 of the deposition tray.

[0080] Like the flange, the deposition tray is preferably made of stainless steel.

[0081] According to the example described, the recess is suitable for receiving a flange provided with two curved branches 11a, 11b, the branches being intended to be fastened around a segment of an optical component, connected at a first of their ends by a spring link 12 and each comprising at a second of their ends a tab 15a, 15b with a complementary fastening member 13, 14, as defined above. However, in the context of the present application, the recess may be suitable for receiving a component holder with a different configuration of spring members and fastening members, for example a flange whose curved branches may be connected at each of their ends by a spring link or comprise a fastening member at each of their ends.

[0082] The tail-type outer panel further comprises a rear wall 33 b which protects the rear part of the optical component and avoids the generation of parasitic deposits on the rear surface of the optical component 1 .

[0083] The use of a "spring effect" flange and the method of positioning and fastening an optical component in such a flange in the present application is used to make a complete and easy-to-use system for attaching optical components with variable diameters (typically 10 mm to 140 mm) and variable thicknesses, for depositing thin layers without creating sparse areas, thereby allowing processing of more than 100% of the optical surface area of ​​the component and suitable for deposition with the GLAD process.

[0084] The materials selected for the elements for the flange and the bracket are suitable for deposition in a temperature range of 20°C to 200°C.

[0085] For example, to better hold the optical components, the flanges are made of stainless steel. This material conducts heat very well and makes the temperature of the components being processed even.

[0086] Similarly, in order to uniform the temperature of the treated parts, the deposition tray is also advantageously stainless steel.

[0087] The tail plate is made of a polymer or resin suitable for withstanding temperatures of about 200° C. and a material that can be used for stereolithography, for example known under the brands PerFORM or PEEK.

[0088] The rear cover 31 may advantageously be made of PEEK material to support 200° C. without deformation.

[0089] In addition to the case of GLAD treatment, the present invention is applicable to treated optical components when it is desired that the treatment of the optical component extend beyond its edges, such as for viewing windows provided with conductive treatments that must make electrical contact with the component's support.

[0090] The invention is not limited to the example shown and, in particular, the support 30 may also be circular or oval and house a different number of optical components, for example depending on the surface of the support and the diameter of said components.

Claims

1. An attachment system for an optical component for applying treatments and deposits on at least one surface of the optical component without creating sparse areas on the surface, characterized in that The attachment system comprises an optical component holder in the form of a flange, the flange being provided with two facing branches (11a, 11b) shaped to be applied on two sides of a section of the optical component, the two facing branches being connected at a first of their ends by a spring link (12) and being provided at a second of their ends with facing tabs (15a, 15b) and a fastening member for bringing the tabs together, the fastening member for bringing the tabs together being suitable for fastening the branches to an edge (2) of the optical component, and wherein the spring link being U-shaped and having a thickness smaller than that of the branches comprises two sections (12a, 12b) extending radially outwards from the flange, the two sections at the first of their ends being connected to the second of their ends. The spring link is connected at one end to a branch and at a second end of its ends to a circular arc segment (12c) providing the elasticity of the spring link, and wherein the attachment system comprises a clamp for mounting one or more of the flanges on one or more of the optical components, the clamp being constituted by a block provided with an upper surface (25) in which a groove is cleared, the groove being provided with a lower surface (23) surrounded on two opposite sides by converging walls and constituting a plane for placing optical components of various diameters in a retaining position wedged between the walls, wherein the upper surface (25) forms a reference surface for placing the flange on the edge (2) of the optical component.

2. The attachment system for an optical component according to claim 1, characterized in that The fastening means for bringing together comprises a first screw (14) which passes through one of the tabs and engages with a thread (13) of the other of the tabs to fasten the branch to the edge.

3. The attachment system for an optical component according to claim 1, characterized in that The optics holder is stainless steel.

4. An attachment system for an optical component according to claim 1, comprising one or more annular spacers adapted to be inserted between a placement plane and an optical component having a convex surface to be processed.

5. An attachment system for optical components according to claim 1, comprising a support (30) in which one or more optical components to be processed, equipped with the flange, are arranged, and the support comprises a front surface constituted by the front surface of a deposition tray (32), the front surface being pierced by an opening (320), through which the optical surface (3) of the optical component to be processed is fully accessible.

6. An attachment system for optical components according to claim 5, comprising a rear cover (31) provided with attachment means (36) for attaching the support to a processing module (40).

7. The attachment system for an optical component according to claim 6, characterized in that The cover (31) comprises a peripheral wall (31a) adapted to accommodate the optical component and the flange between the cover (31) and the deposition tray (32).

8. The attachment system for an optical component according to claim 7, characterized in that The front surface of the flange is received in a recess (32a) on the rear surface of the deposition tray, and a tail-type outer plate (33) housed in the bracket and fixed to the rear of the tray includes an annular crown (33a) and a rear wall (33b), wherein the annular crown is supported on the rear surface of the flange from the side opposite to the side of the optical component to be processed, and the rear wall (33b) faces the rear surface of the optical component and protects the rear surface to avoid the generation of parasitic deposits on the rear surface.

9. The attachment system for an optical component according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cover (31) of the support (30) and the deposition tray (32) are fixed together by a second screw (35), which passes through the cover and is screwed into a first threaded hole (37) of the deposition tray (32).

10. Method for attaching one or more optical components by means of an attachment system according to any one of the preceding claims, in order to carry out a method for depositing on at least one optical surface (3) to be processed of said optical component, characterized in that The method comprises the steps of positioning an optical component holder in the form of a flange on the edge (2) of the optical component and fastening the flange on the edge of the optical component, wherein the front surface (16) of the flange is positioned recessed from or flush with the surface to be processed.

11. A method for attaching one or more optical components according to claim 10, comprising, before the step of positioning and fastening the flange on the optical component, a step of positioning and wedging the optical component between the walls of a fixture according to claim 1 by sliding the optical component, the optical component being supported or not supported on the placement plane of the fixture by an annular gasket depending on whether the optical surface (3) to be processed of the optical component is convex, wherein the step of positioning and fastening the optical component holder on the optical component is performed by supporting the component wedged between the wall and the flange on the upper surface (25) of the fixture, and then carrying out the step of removing the fixture from the component equipped with the flange.

12. A method for attaching one or more optical components according to claim 10 or 11, the method comprising: - placing the optical component equipped with the flange on a deposition tray (32) with an opening through which the optical surface (3) of the optical component to be processed is accessible, wherein the front surface of the flange is received in a recess (32a) in the rear surface of the deposition tray; - attaching a tail-type outer plate (33) to the rear of the tray, thereby pressing the optical components against the rear surface, wherein the tail-type outer plate comprises an annular crown (33a) of each optical component, the annular crown bearing on the rear surface of the flange from the side opposite to the side to be treated of the optical component; - attaching the tray assembly, the optical component with flange and the tail-type outer plate in a cover (31) of a support (30), wherein the cover comprises a peripheral wall (31a) adapted to accommodate the tail-type outer plate, the optical component and the flange between a rear surface of the cover (31) and the deposition tray (32).

13. A method for attaching one or more optical components according to claim 12, comprising attaching the support (30) to a processing module (40) for handling and manipulating the support.

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