Method for Producing Optical Element and Optical Element

Abstract

Provided is a method for producing an inexpensive chalcogenide optical element having high performance. An inside of chalcogenide glass is also heated uniformly by heating the chalcogenide glass with an infrared ray (light LI). Therefore, a molded lens LE hardly causes a crack or the like, a work piece WP as a block of the chalcogenide glass can be softened in a short time, and time required for molding can be shortened. In addition, direct heating with an infrared ray (light LI) allows heating and cooling to be performed in a short time. Therefore, an effect of volatilization, oxidation, crystallization, or the like can be reduced, and the lens LE having a high transmittance can be molded. Press molding can be performed while the temperature of the second mold die 12 is lower than that of the glass. Therefore, the lens LE hardly causing fusion and having an excellent appearance can be molded with a low maintenance frequency.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.