Optical device containing a liquid crystal element for changing optical characteristics of a lens element
US5815233A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/50
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A liquid crystal active lens having, in combination, a fixed-focal-point lens having a high index of refraction and a phase modulation element comprising two-dimensionally arranged fine pixels, and having power and being capable of electrically controlling the lens characteristics as a function of space. An electrically controlled optical system can be realized without having a moving portion. Owing to the combination of the liquid crystal element for modulating space phase and the high-power lens of a fixed focal length, it is possible to electronically control the focal length and to electronically control the lens in a spatially split manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.