Method of producing a deep microrelief optical element

A method for replication (recombination by applying the replication in step and repeat mode) of three-dimensional microstructures with high accuracy and high replication predictability is described. The method uses UV-curable materials or thermoplastic polymers to replicate a single element on an arbitrarily curved surface. The high replication predictability is achieved by using a multistep process. A coarse replication is made in a first step. In subsequent steps replications with high accuracy can be made by using the first coarse replica as a raw preform. The method is suited for the replication of macroscopic structures in three dimensions (from micrometer to some mm or more in relief height) which cannot be achieved by the usual, well known replication technologies for quasi two-dimensional microstructures.