Method and apparatus for making optical devices

A method for bonding a plurality of optical elements to form a predetermined configuration comprising the steps of:

• etching in a substrate a plurality of first indentations each adapted to hold an optical element, said indentations being arranged in said predetermined configuration;
• placing a plurality of optical elements on the substrate such that each optical element is supported within a first indentation;
• and bonding the elements in the first indentations to the substrate;
• characterized by the steps of:
• etching in a holder member a plurality of second indentations each adapted to hold an optical element, said indentations being arranged in said predetermined configuration;
• placing said plurality of optical elements in the holder member such that each optical element is supported within a second indentation;
• and further characterized in that the bonding step comprises the step of forcing the first indentations against the optical elements supported within the second indentations.

Apparatus for making optical devices comprising:

• a substrate member having on a first surface a first configuration of first grooves;
• a holder member having on a first surface a second configuration of second grooves, each second groove adapted to support an optical element, the second configuration being substantially identical to the first configuration;
• at least one vacuum channel in the holder, each second groove communicating at one end with a vacuum channel;
• means comprising the vacuum channels for holding the optical elements each within a second groove;
• means for positioning the first surface of the substrate member opposite the first surface of the holder member such that the first configuration has substantially the same orientation as the second configuration;
• means for bonding the optical elements to the substrate comprising means for causing the substrate to abut against the optical elements;
• and means for removing the substrate from the holder, thereby to remove the optical elements from the first grooves.