Aspherical lenses produced by a fast high-precision replication process using UV-curable coatings

Diffraction-limited aspherical lenses for audiodisc systems have been produced in a high-precision lens replication process using UV-polymerizable coatings. The requirements and merits of this process are described. The optical performance of the lenses is determined by the accuracy of the replication process and the physical properties of the photopolymerized coating. The optical and mechanical behavior of the replication coating is examined in detail over a broad temperature range.