Ultrasonic optical lens array with variable focal length and pitch

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Acoustic Metamaterials
• Advanced Optical Systems

Background:

• Traditional optical lenses often rely on mechanical components for adjustment, limiting their adaptability and increasing complexity.
• The development of tunable optical elements is crucial for next-generation imaging and optical processing systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate an optical lens array controlled by acoustic radiation force.
• To demonstrate a tunable lens array with no mechanical moving parts.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a simple structure comprising a glass plate, four ultrasound transducers, and a viscoelastic film.
• Generated acoustic radiation force via flexural vibrations of the glass plate to form the lens array.
• Controlled focal length by adjusting transducer voltage and lens pitch by modifying driving frequency.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated an optical lens array whose focal length and lens pitch are controllable.
• The device operates without mechanical moving parts, relying solely on acoustic radiation force.
• Tunability was achieved through electrical voltage and driving frequency adjustments.

Conclusions:

• The investigated acoustic radiation force-based optical lens array offers a novel, mechanically simple approach to tunable optics.
• This technology holds potential for applications requiring adaptive optical functionalities without complex mechanical actuation.