Study of the fabrication of infrared-transparent dielectric aspheric deposits by continuous-wave laser deposition

The fabrication of dielectric aspheric deposits with optical refractive functionality by a continuous-wave laser deposition technique is reported for the particular case of an amorphous As–S alloy. The influence of both the laser power and fabrication times in the deposit thickness profile is studied from the measurements performed by a mechanical profilometer. The use of press-powder tablets as starting material have been found to have a significant effect in the deposition efficiency, and indications of a transition from a discrete to a continuous nature of the target, have also been observed. A notable reproducibility has been found both in the material stoichiometry and thickness profiles. The optical function of the fabricated refractive aspheric deposits has been measured to be similar to one performed by axicon lenses.