LENS WITH INTERNAL APERTURE

1 . A lens, comprising:

a first region of optically-transmissive material that is configured to define a first surface of the lens;

a second region of optically-transmissive material that is configured to define a second surface of the lens opposite the first surface; and

an internal aperture element integrally disposed between the first region and the second region, wherein the internal aperture element is configured to define an aperture of the lens.

2 . The lens of claim 1 , wherein the optically-transmissive material comprises glass and wherein the first region and the second region form a single monolithic structure of glass.

3 . The lens of claim 1 , wherein the optically-transmissive material comprises a polymer or a resin and wherein the first region and the second region form a single monolithic structure of the polymer or the resin.

4 . The lens of claim 1 , wherein the internal aperture element comprises an opaque label or sticker suspended within the optically-transmissive material.

5 . The lens of claim 1 , wherein the internal aperture element comprises at least one of an ink, a blackened aluminum, or a copper black coating suspended within the optically-transmissive material.

6 . A method of fabricating a lens, the method comprising:

dispensing a liquid optically-transmissive material into a mold cavity while an internal aperture element is disposed within the mold cavity, wherein the internal aperture element is configured to define an aperture of the lens; and

curing the liquid optically-transmissive material to form the lens having a first surface, a second surface that is opposite the first surface, and the internal aperture element disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the lens.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

mating a first die with a second die to define a first mold cavity;

dispensing the liquid optically-transmissive material into the first mold cavity;

curing the liquid optically-transmissive material in the first mold cavity to form a first region that defines the first surface of the lens;

removing the second die to expose the first region of the lens;

placing the internal aperture element on the first region of the lens;

mating a third die with the first die to provide a second mold cavity;

dispensing the liquid optically-transmissive material into the second mold cavity over the internal aperture element; and

curing the liquid optically-transmissive material in the second mold cavity to form a second region that defines the second surface of the lens.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein:

the first die comprises a first lens-forming surface that defines the first surface of the lens,

the second die comprises a second surface that is opposite the first lens-forming surface when the second die is mated with the first die to provide the first mold cavity, and

the third die comprises a third lens-forming surface that defines the second surface of the lens.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein curing the liquid optically-transmissive material comprises an ultraviolet (UV) curing process that includes illuminating the liquid optically-transmissive material with UV light.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first die, the second die, or the third die, are transparent to the UV light.

11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein dispensing and curing the liquid optically-transmissive material comprises a thermal curing process that includes heating at least one of the first die, the second die, or the third die.

12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the liquid optically-transmissive material comprises a polymer or a resin.

13 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

removing the internal aperture element subsequent to the curing of the liquid optically-transmissive material in the second mold cavity to expose a groove in the lens that extends around a periphery of the lens.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

placing an opaque material in the groove to define the aperture of the lens.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein placing the opaque material in the groove comprises applying an ink, a blackened aluminum, or a copper black coating in the groove.

16 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

mating a first die with a second die to define the mold cavity that includes the internal aperture element, wherein the first die comprises a first lens-forming surface that defines the first surface of the lens, the second dies comprises a second lens-forming surface that defines the second surface of the lens, and wherein the internal aperture element is suspended within the mold cavity between the first lens-forming surface and the second lens-forming surface;

dispensing the liquid optically-transmissive material into the mold cavity while the internal aperture element is suspended within the mold cavity;

curing the liquid optically-transmissive material in the mold cavity to form the lens; and

removing the internal aperture element subsequent to the curing of the liquid optically-transmissive material to expose a groove in the lens that extends around a periphery of the lens.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

placing an opaque material in the groove to define the aperture of the lens.

18 . A method of fabricating an internal aperture for a glass lens, the method comprising:

providing the glass lens that includes:

a first surface;

a second surface that is opposite the first surface; and

a side edge that surrounds a periphery of the glass lens;

etching a groove in the glass lens on the side edge, wherein the groove extends for the periphery of the glass lens; and

placing an opaque material in the groove to define the internal aperture of the glass lens.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein placing the opaque material in the groove comprises applying an ink, a blackened aluminum, or a copper black coating in the groove.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein etching the groove in the glass lens on the side edge comprises a laser-assisted diamond turning process to form the groove on the side edge.