Variable lens

US7929218B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Carl Zeiss Meditec AG · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Mohr · Jena, DE
• Manfred Dick · Gefell, DE
• Juergen Kuehnert · Jena, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 7, 2006
• Grant date: Apr 19, 2011
• Expiry date: Oct 28, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B27/0025
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a variable lens for controlling electromagnetic radiation that interacts with said lens in a controlled manner. The lens includes a container; a first dielectric fluid that is held in the container; a second dielectric fluid that is held in the container, a phase boundary layer between the first and the second fluid. The relative dielectric constant of the first fluid is different from a relative dielectric constant of the second fluid. At least one first electrode; and at least one second electrode is positioned in relation to the first electrode in such a way that an electric current that is applied between the first and the second electrode generates an electric field, which infiltrates the phase boundary layer.