PROCESS FOR PRODUCING MICRO-OPTICAL ELEMENTS OR A FIBRE END IN THE FORM OF A MICRO-OPTICAL ELEMENT, AND THE USE OF SUCH ELEMENTS

摘要

The invention concerns a process for producing micro-optical elements or a fibre end in the form of a micro-optical element, a base material being shaped to form the required micro-optical element. As a process by which elements can be produced and reproduced in larger batches, are transparent with low loss levels over a greater (i.e. wider band) spectral range than prior art elements, are not restricted in their possible surface geometry and are inexpensive to manufacture, a crystalline or polycrystalline fibre or section thereof which is substantially absorption-free in the spectral range 0.4 - 30 νm and is produced from a base material of a solid solution, is shaped to produce micro-optical elements with that spectral range. The invention also concerns advantageous uses and applications of the disclosed micro-optical elements.