METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THREE DIMENSIONAL OPTICAL COMPONENTS

摘要

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an optical component in three dimensions. In one aspect, the method includes providing a substrate that includes contiguous rigid plates (22, 24) that are disposed such that a major surface of each rigid plate lies substantially in a single plane. At least one of said surfaces is characterized by a micro-optical structure. Further in the method, the substrate is folded such that the at least one surface having a micro-optical structure and at least one other of the above-recited surfaces are disposed at an angle to one another. A second method is also disclosed. Disclosed structures made by the method(s) include a mesa structure with a top plate and four sidewall plates, each facing a reflective plate, as well as closed structures such as cubes and rectilinear boxes into which separate plates may be disposed. A mold for preferentially making the substrate such as by injection molding is also detailed.