Method enables use of crystal or semiconductor materials with selective spectral-response characteristics (ultraviolet, visible, or infrared wavelengths) in fabrication of contact lenses, reading glasses, and photographic processing equipment

Allen, F. G.

Yu, J. G.

Yue, A. S.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1975	 B75-10308 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Contact-Eutectic-Lens Fabrication Technique 
High Refractive 
Index Fibers	 I 1 Low Refractive 
Index Matrix	 Focal 
Point 
Plain View of Optical-Fiber Eutectic Lens 
.
A new optical-fiber fabrication technique has been 
developed for the manufacture of contact eutectic 
lenses. Glass fibers are normally used since their 
optical transmission characteristics are easy to 
control. The new lens fabrication method enables 
crystal or semiconductor materials with selective 
spectral-response characteristics (ultraviolet, visible, 
or infrared wavelengths) to be used. Also, common 
lenses change the direction of light propagation solely 
by means of the interface and curvature of the lens. 
Contact eutectic lenses vary the direction of light 
propagation along the fibers; the light is guided by 
internal reflections between the fibers and the matrix 
(see figure). 
Contact eutectic lenses are produced by using 
continuous fan-shaped optic fibers in a unidirectional 
(zonal) solidification process. These fibers of high 
refractive index are embedded in a continuous matrix 
of material having a lower refractive index. For a 
mininum angle of inclination, 0, of the fiber relative 
to the plane, as illustrated, a lens plate of thickness t 
Is
(-.) (4) 
where I is the image size and M is the desired 
magnification ratio of an object in contact with the 
lens.
as when wearing conventional contact lenses. Other 
applications include reading-glass optics, photo-
graphic enlargement or reduction, and enlarging 
microfilm. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be made in 
writing to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code ATO1 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B75-10308 
Patent status: 
Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use 
of this invention should be addressed to: 
Patent Counsel 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code CCOI 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Source: F. G. Allen, A. S. Yue,

and i.G.Yuof
University of California
(MFS-23275) 
•	 The new lenses can be produced in any shape and 
can be used when the object-to-lens distance is zero, 
-	 04 (Materials) 
Categories: 03 (Physical Sciences) 
08 (Fabrication Technology) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	
will be free from privately owned rights.
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Contact-eutectic-lens fabrication technique

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