Graded thickness optical element and method of manufacture therefor

摘要

A graded optical element is provided that includes graded layers of optical material, wherein the layers may or may not have different indexes of refraction. A method for making such a graded thickness optical element is also provided. A masking layer is preferably spaced above a substrate, where the masking layer has at least one aperture therein. Optical material is then deposited on the substrate through the aperture in the masking layer to form a layer of refr material that extends laterally beyond the aperture in the masking layer in at least one region.