What are liquid lenses used for?
Liquid lenses allow imaging systems to overcome depth of field (DOF) limitations by allowing the focus to be electronically adjusted without requiring any mechanical movement. This can be a great solution for applications with varying object heights and working distances.
How do liquid lenses work?
Liquid lenses use an electrowetting process to achieve superior autofocus capabilities. The lens itself is a sealed cell with water and oil inside. The electrowetting process shapes the oil drop into an effective lens quickly and accurately. Note that liquid lens technology involves no moving mechanical parts.
What is a liquid lens camera?
Liquid lens is a relatively new camera technology (for smartphones, anyway) that replaces an existing, static optical glass lens. It allows the lens itself to move and change shape, either mechanically or electronically, benefitting both focusing speed and the focal length that can be achieved.
Who makes liquid lens?
Corning®
Corning® Varioptic® Variable Focus Liquid Lens Technology The liquid lens cell contains two immiscible liquids: a non-conductive oil and a water solution separated by an interface as shown in Figure 3.
What is the shape of liquid lens?
The mixture of water and oil is sandwiched between two pieces of clear glass or plastic. In this way, a light, cheap liquid lens is created. Because water adheres to glass or plastic, it naturally forms a bubble shape. This bubble shape within the liquid lens creates magnification and variable focus.
What is the nature of liquid lens?
The lens consists of a stiff frame and a clear liquid housed between two membranes, one passive and the other electroactive. The latter is made from a transparent dielectric elastomer coated on both sides with transparent flexible electrodes.
When was liquid lens invented?
Liquid lenses are making their way into consumer cameras, but this a pretty recent development. However, the technology was initially invented in 2002 by Varioptic. Even as far back as 2005, Samsung was working with Varioptic to introduce the technology into smartphone cameras.
What is the principle of liquid lens experiment?
The theory behind the liquid lens is based on the properties of one or more liquids to create magnifications within a small amount of space. The focus of a liquid lens is controlled by the surface of the liquid.
What is tunable lens?
Optotune’s focus tunable lenses are shape-changing lenses based on a combination of optical fluids and a polymer membrane. The core element consists of a container, which is filled with an optical liquid and sealed off with a thin, elastic polymer membrane.
Can you 3D print a lens?
By 3D printing the lenses, you can cut out all of that black selection process, and the grinding and polishing, and simply 3D print the lens into its final form. No need for polishing and grinding machines.
How does a liquid lens adjust its focus?
Liquid lenses quickly adjust focus to accommodate objects located at various working distances (WDs). Liquid lenses are small, mechanically or electrically controlled cells containing optical-grade liquid. When a current or voltage is applied to a liquid lens cell, the shape of the cell changes.
How are liquid lenses used in imaging systems?
Liquid lenses can be implemented in various locations throughout an imaging system, such as being embedded within or threaded to the front or rear of an imaging lens. Mechanics are eliminated in a liquid lens which enables their compact design. In addition, liquid lenses are comparable in functionality to many individual lenses within an assembly.
How many cycles does a liquid lens take?
Liquid lenses consume very little power. Typical mechanical lenses are capable of ~100,000 cycles, whereas a liquid lens can withstand approximately ~50,000,000 cycles (Berge, 2013). This is Section 7.3 of the Imaging Resource Guide.
Can a variable focus liquid lens be diff cult?
Variable focus liquid lenses can be diff cult to work with, as their small size makes them challenging to use with existing objectives. They are better suited to be fully integrated into optical designs, where their size is less of a limiting factor. Figure 3: Diagram illustrating the working principle of the Corning® Varioptic® Liquid Lens.
