Optical characterization and adaptive optics correction of polymer adaptive lens aberrations

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Adaptive Optics Systems

Background:

• Adaptive lenses using fluid-filled polymer membranes offer optical system simplification, including large focal length variation and reduced size, weight, and power.
• Optical aberrations can degrade the performance of adaptive lenses, necessitating correction methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize optical power and aberrations in two adaptive lenses.
• To correct gravity-induced aberrations in an adaptive lens using a multiactuator system within a closed-loop adaptive optics configuration.
• To demonstrate improvements in imaging system performance after aberration correction.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of adaptive lens optical power and aberrations.
• Implementation of a multiactuator adaptive lens in a closed-loop adaptive optics system.
• Correction of gravity-induced aberrations.

Main Results:

• Adaptive lenses were characterized for optical power and aberrations.
• Gravity-induced aberrations were successfully corrected using a multiactuator adaptive lens in a closed-loop system.
• A minimal increase in optical setup complexity was observed during aberration correction.

Conclusions:

• Adaptive optics can effectively correct aberrations in fluid-filled adaptive lenses.
• The proposed closed-loop adaptive optics configuration with a multiactuator lens offers a practical solution for improving imaging system performance.
• This approach minimizes added complexity while enhancing the optical quality of adaptive lens systems.