USE OF POTTING GELS FOR FABRICATING MICROOPTIC ARRAYS

摘要

A lens array (10) for collecting light from a light source (12) is provided wherein the lens array (10) is made of a curable gel that remains pliant after curing. The lens array (10) may be used alone and without a hard epoxy matrix overcoat. The lens array (10) may be used in an solid state light emitting device array (16) that includes a glass window (24) that covers the solid state light emitting device array (16) and the lens array (10) so that the lens array (10) cannot be physically interfered with touched directly. An array of collecting microoptical lenses (10) and/or prisms may be molded into the gel, and the gel lens used as an inexpensive array of lighting devices for the purpose of collecting and condensing the light from the solid state light emitting device array (16) so that it is less dispersive.