Method for molding optical elements

A glass member positioning method in an optical-element molding method for forming an optical element in which a glass material and a resin material are integrated, said molding method including the steps of supplying the resin material, which is a type cured by an activating energy beam, to a molding member having a molding surface, which functions to transfer an optical surface onto a surface of the resin material, and forming a resin layer made of the resin material on the surface of the glass member, said glass member positioning method comprising:

• a first step of placing the glass member upon a support portion for supporting said glass member in a state in which a lower surface of said glass member is spaced away from a molding surface by a distance which determines the thickness of the resin layer;
• a second step of positioning the glass member, relative to said molding member, at a predetermined position in a direction along a surface approximately parallel to the molding surface when the resin material, which has been charged into a space defined by said molding surface and the lower surface of said glass member, exhibits a viscosity within a predetermined range;
• a third step of holding the glass member at said predetermined position until the resin material cures to a predetermined degree of polymerization;
• and
• a fourth step of releasing said glass member from a first state where said glass member is held at said predetermined position after said resin material has cured to said predetermined degree of polymerization.