Rod lens and methods for producing same

摘要

A rod lens and methods for producing such a rod lens are disclosed. The rod lens and methods include a sealing glass and holder glass or a metallic holder that are heated so that only the sealing glass melts and forms a spherical cap to define a lens element joined to a light guiding element. A plurality of rod lenses may form an array arrangement.

主权项

1. A method for producing a rod lens having a light guiding element and a lens element, comprising the steps of:
providing a glass body made of a sealing glass having a sealing glass melting temperature (Tg1) and a sealing glass thermal expansion coefficient (CTE1); providing a holder made of a material selected from the group consisting of holder glass, ceramic, glass ceramic, and metal, the material having a holder melting temperature (Tg2, Tmeit3) that is higher than the sealing glass melting temperature (Tg1, and having a holder thermal expansion coefficient (CTE2) either close to the sealing glass thermal expansion coefficient (CTE1), or in case of a metallic holder a thermal expansion coefficient (CTE3) different from the sealing glass thermal expansion coefficient (CTE1); combining the glass body of the sealing glass with the holder to ensure some mechanical support of the glass body by the holder, with at least a portion of the glass body projecting beyond the holder; melting the glass body at a temperature such that the portion of the glass body projecting beyond the holder is deformed into a cap having a spherical surface, while the holder remains dimensionally stable to produce the rod lens; and allowing the rod lens to cool down.