Adaptive optical devices with controllable focal power and aspheric shape
US9500782B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2015 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B1/041
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.