Adaptive optical devices with controllable focal power and aspheric shape

摘要

A fluidic lens may include an optical surface configured for deflection dominated by bending stress. An adjustable concentric load may be applied to the optical surface to cause a clear aperture region of the optical surface to deflect with generally spherical curvature. Adjusting the concentric load controls the radius of curvature. An adjustable uniformly-distributed load may be applied to the optical surface by fluid pressure that causes the clear aperture region to deflect with an aspheric shape. Adjusting the pressure controls the asphericity of curvature. First and second fluids having similar densities and different refractive indexes may be disposed on either side of a deflectable optical surface to help balance gravitational loading on either side of the optical surface, thereby reducing gravity-associated aberrations.

主权项

1. A fluidic optical device, comprising:
a fluidic lens having a compartment comprising; a first optical surface; a second optical surface; wherein one or more of the first and second optical surfaces are stiff and configured for bending deflection in response to an applied load; a first support member; a second support member; wherein the first and second support members are configured to apply a concentrated concentric load to one or more of the optical surfaces; wherein the compartment is filled with a fluid; wherein the application of a load to one or more of the support members results in the application of the concentrated concentric load to one or more of the optical surfaces thereby resulting in a bending deflection of one or more of the optical surfaces and thereby changing one or more optical properties of the fluidic optical device and resulting in a residual fluid pressure in the compartment.