A method for determining at least one reflow parameter for obtaining a structure approximating a sought structure by reflowing an initial structure different to the sought structure, the initial structure including at least one pattern formed in a thermo-deformable layer arranged on a substrate. The thermo-deformable layer forms a residual layer surrounding each pattern and from which each pattern extends such that each pattern has an interface only with the surrounding medium. The method includes: predicting progression over time of geometry of the initial structure subject to reflow, to obtain a plurality of predicted structures each associated with reflow parameters including at least a reflow time and a reflow temperature; computing correlation values of the geometry of each predicted structure with respect to the sought structure; identifying reflow parameters for obtaining the predicted structure offering a highest correlation value.

The invention relates to an optical article having a substrate made of an optical material comprising a polymer matrix and an improved abrasion and/or scratch resistance. The substrate comprises an external layer in which particles functionalized by a silane coupling agent are embedded into the polymer matrix, the Bayer value of said substrate determined in accordance with the ASTM F735-81 standard being at least 30% greater than the Bayer value of the same substrate with no embedded particles.

A continuous polymer sheet casting apparatus includes first and second endless belts positioned in face to face relationship to each other for a portion of their lengths to form between their inside surfaces a mold cavity for molding a polymeric sheet therebetween, and a container in fluid communication with the mold cavity, the container configured to introduce a liquid monomer or liquid polymer and curing agent and/or initiator to the cavity for polymerization therein; a controlled cooling apparatus in thermal communication with the mold cavity, configured to cool and solidify the polymeric sheet as it moves through the mold cavity, wherein either the first, the second, or the first and second endless belts include a microstructured optical quality tool area on at least a portion of said belt or belts. A mold and process for molding is also disclosed.

A Fresnel lens with truncated apexes includes a first lens surface that defines at least one portion of a Fresnel surface profile. The at least one portion of the Fresnel lens surface profile is defined by a plurality of truncated Fresnel structures. Each truncated Fresnel structure of the plurality of the truncated Fresnel structures corresponds to a respective slope facet, a respective draft facet and a respective flat apex surface located between the respective slope facet and the respective draft facet. Also disclosed are a method of making a Fresnel lens mold, and a method of making the Fresnel lens with truncated apexes using the Fresnel lens mold.

A lens assembly and a method of making the assembly are described. The lens assembly includes a first lens and a second lens slidably coupled with the first lens. The second lens includes a silicone material and has a Fresnel pattern surface. Also described is a display device including the lens assembly and an array of light emitting devices coupled with the lens assembly for outputting light through the lens assembly.

Provided is an optical component whereby the absence of eccentricity can be instantly confirmed visually even in a case that the optical component has Fresnel lens or other very fine structure. An optical component of the present invention includes an optical part and a peripheral part thereof. The optical component includes recognition marks in positions substantially plane-symmetrical to each other on a front surface side and a rear surface side of the peripheral part, the recognition marks being expressed as a recess or a projection and configured to allow eccentricity to be recognized. Two of the recognition marks are preferably similar to each other in shape, one recognition mark being preferably from 10% to 90% the size of the other recognition mark.

The invention relates to an optical article having a substrate made of an optical material comprising a polymer matrix and an improved light transmission in the visible range. The substrate comprises an external layer in which particles are embedded into the polymer matrix, the refractive index of the particles R.sub.p being lower than the refractive index of the polymer matrix R.sub.s.

Provided is a Fresnel lens that includes prisms with a mountain-like shape disposed at narrow pitches and having a shape in which a slope from a protruded part to a recessed part is steep, and a production method of the Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens according to the present invention is a molded and cured product of a curable composition having a contact angle with respect to a mold of 50 or less, wherein the Fresnel lens includes two or more prisms concentrically, and a cross-sectional face of the two or more prisms has a mountain-like shape in which a ratio (h/w) of a height (h) to a width (w) is 0.3 or greater, and the height (h) is 0.5 mm or less. The mold is preferably a silicone mold. A breaking strain of a cured product of the curable composition is preferably from 0.1% to 30%.

A Fresnel optical element includes a Fresnel surface formed in a material. The Fresnel surface includes a plurality of Fresnel feature that include an active surface and a draft surface. A light absorptive layer is selectively disposed over the draft surface of the Fresnel features. The light absorptive surface is configured to absorb a majority of visible light encountering the light absorptive layer.

Provided is a method for efficiently producing a lens with high accuracy and excellent optical properties. The method for producing a lens of the present invention includes cutting an array of lenses at a junction by a method below, the array of lenses fixed on a support tape and having a configuration wherein two or more lenses are two-dimensionally arranged, and these lenses are connected each other via the junction. Cutting method: advancing a cutting depth from the side opposite to the side adhered to the support tape to a range from 50% or greater and 99.9% or less of a thickness of the junction, temporarily stopping the advance of the cutting depth when the advance reaches the range, and then cutting the junction to a cutting depth of 100%.