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Adaptive liquid lens actuated by photo-polymer
Su Xu1, Hongwen Ren, Yeong-Jyh Lin
1College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, USA.
Optics Express
|November 13, 2009
Summary
This study demonstrates an adaptive liquid lens using photo-polymer actuation. The lens offers tunable focal length from infinity to 21.2 mm in seconds, enabling compact optical systems.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Liquid lenses offer tunable focal lengths, crucial for compact optical systems.
- Traditional liquid lenses often rely on mechanical actuation, limiting miniaturization and integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel adaptive liquid lens actuated by photo-polymer.
- To investigate the tunable focal length and key features of the photo-polymer actuated lens.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a lens cell with glass and plastic substrates, sealed with elastic membranes.
- Integration of a photo-sensitive polymer on a reservoir membrane.
- Actuation of the lens via blue light irradiation to induce polymer bending and regulate membrane curvature.
Main Results:
- The photo-polymer actuation successfully regulated the membrane curvature, changing the focal length of the plano-convex lens.
- Achieved tunable focal length from infinity down to 21.2 mm within seconds.
- Demonstrated non-mechanical driving, easy integration, and a compact system design.
Conclusions:
- The photo-polymer actuated adaptive liquid lens is a viable technology for tunable optics.
- The lens's key features make it suitable for integration into compact and advanced optical systems.
- This non-mechanical approach offers advantages over traditional liquid lens designs.
