Lens shaping device using a laser attenuator

A device for modifying the surface of an optical element to vary its refractive power, the combination comprising:

• means for generating a laser beam, said laser beam having a central axis and an outer periphery;
• laser energy attenuator means, aligned to intercept said laser beam, for varying the energy distribution of said laser beam between said central axis and said outer periphery of said laser beam without refracting said laser beam within said laser energy attenuator means;
• and
• means for supporting the optical element in a position to intercept said laser beam after said laser beam has been intercepted by said laser energy attenuator means,
• said laser energy attenuator means including a laser energy absorbing optical portion in the shape of a lens having a central axis, having two opposed, regular surfaces intercepting said laser beam, at least one of said opposed surfaces being curved, and having an axial thickness that varies radially of said central axis thereof in a predetermined manner in proportion to the desired change in refractive power of the optical element.

A method of modifying the surface of an optical element to vary its refractive power, comprising the steps of

• generating a laser beam having a central axis and an outer periphery,
• varying the energy distribution of the laser beam between the central axis and the outer periphery thereof, and
• intercepting the varied laser beam with the optical element,
• the varying step including passing the laser beam through a lens-shaped optical portion.