OPTICAL COMPONENTS WITH A GRADED-INDEX STRUCTURE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH COMPONENTS

摘要

The invention concerns the manufacture of optical components with a material-distribution gradient due to nanometer-size particles embedded in a solid matrix. The components are manufactured by dispersing nanometer-size particles in a curable liquid matrix material, applying a potential difference to cause the particles to migrate in the matrix material to form a distribution gradient and subsequently curing the matrix material, retaining the distribution gradient. The method is suitable for use for instance in the manufacture of optical lenses with a refractive-index gradient.