Process to produce a resin-cemented optical element

Abstract

A process to produce a resin-cemented optical element having a base member and a resin layer formed on the surface of the base member and having a cured product of a photosensitive resin composition. The resin layer has (1) a refractive index of 1.55 or more, (2) a visible-light inner transmittance of 95% or more in a 100 μm thick area, (3) a rate of hygroscopic dimensional change of 0.4% or less, (4) a durometer hardness of HDD 70 or more, (5) a gel percentage of 95% or more, (6) a glass transition temperature of 95° C. or above or (7) a rate of shrinkage on curing of 7% or less.

1 . A process to produce a resin-cemented optical element, the process comprising: 
 a first exposure operation of irradiating a photosensitive resin composition held between the surface of a base member and a mold tool, to cure the composition to form a resin layer;    a mold release operation of mold-releasing the resin layer; and    a heating operation of heating the resin layer, in this order.    
   
   
       2 . A process to produce a resin-cemented optical element, the process comprising: 
 a first exposure operation of irradiating a photosensitive resin composition held between the surface of a base member and a mold tool, with heating to cure the composition to form a resin layer; and    a mold release operation of mold-releasing the resin layer, in this order.    
   
   
       3 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 2 , wherein the heating in said first exposure operation is carried out at a temperature of from 40° C. to 130° C.  
   
   
       4 . A process to produce a resin-cemented optical element, the process comprising: 
 one or more exposure operations of irradiating a photosensitive resin composition held between the surface of a base member and a molding tool, to cure the composition to form a resin layer; and    at least one of said exposure operations being the operation of irradiating the resin composition by light not comprising light with a wavelength less than 300 nm.    
   
   
       5 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 4 , further comprising a mold release operation of mold-releasing the resin layer; 
 said operation of irradiating the resin composition by the light not comprising light with a wavelength of less than 300 nm being a first exposure operation carried out before said mold release operation.    
   
   
       6 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 4 , further comprising a mold release operation of mold-releasing the resin layer; 
 said operation of irradiating the resin composition by the light not comprising light with a wavelength of less than 300 nm being a second exposure operation carried out after said mold release operation.    
   
   
       7 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 1 , further comprising, after said mold release operation, a second exposure operation of irradiating the resin layer by light not comprising light with a wavelength of less than 300 nm.  
   
   
       8 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 4 , wherein the irradiation in the operation of irradiation by the light not comprising light with a wavelength of less than 300 nm is performed shutting out light with a wavelength of less than 300 nm among light emitted from a light source.  
   
   
       9 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 2 , further comprising, after said mold release operation, a heating operation of heating the resin layer.  
   
   
       10 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 6 , further comprising, after said second exposure operation, a heating operation of heating the resin layer.  
   
   
       11 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating in said heating operation is carried out at a temperature of from 40° C. to 130° C.  
   
   
       12 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 1 , wherein said resin composition comprises: 
 a polyfunctional (meth) acrylate;    a polyfunctional urethane-modified (meth) acrylate; and    a photopolymerization initiator.    
   
   
       13 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 2 , further comprising, after said mold release operation, a second exposure operation of irradiating the resin layer by light not comprising light with a wavelength of less than 300 nm.  
   
   
       14 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 5 , further comprising, after said mold release operation, a second exposure operation of irradiating the resin layer by light not comprising light with a wavelength of less than 300 nm.  
   
   
       15 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 9 , wherein the heating in said heating operation is carried out at a temperature of from 40° C. to 130 C°.  
   
   
       16 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 10 , wherein the heating in said heating operation is carried out at a temperature of from 40° C. to 130 C°.  
   
   
       17 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 2 , wherein said resin composition comprises: 
 a polyfunctional (meth) acrylate;    a polyfunctional urethane-modified (meth) acrylate; and    a photopolymerization initiator.    
   
   
       18 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 4 , wherein said resin composition comprises: 
 a polyfunctional (meth) acrylate;    a polyfunctional urethane-modified (meth) acrylate; and    a photopolymerization initiator.    
   
   
       19 . The process to produce a resin-cemented optical element according to  claim 5 , further comprising, after said mold release operation, a heating operation of heating the resin layer.