METHOD FOR FORMING OPTICAL ELEMENT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical element-forming method in which a highly accurate optical element having no residual stress or strain can be obtained by alleviating a thermal stress generated in forming a glass blank. SOLUTION: This method for forming the optical element comprises a process for softening the glass blank 5 by heating to a forming temperature, a process for carrying the softened glass blank 5 in between a pair of forming molds 2 and 3, a process for deforming the glass blank 5 to a desired thickness by moving the pair of forming molds 2 and 3, a process for stopping the movement of the mold 3 in such a state as to deform the blank to the desired thickness and holding the blank, and a process for forming the optical element by pressurizing the blank 5 by moving the mold 3 again. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO