High-performance fluidic adaptive lenses

High-performance fluidic lenses with an adjustable focal length spanning a very wide range (30 mm to infinite) are demonstrated. We show that the focal length, F-number, and numerical aperture can be dynamically controlled by changing the shape of the fluidic adaptive lens without moving the lens position mechanically. The shortest focal length demonstrated is less than 30 mm for a 20-mm lens aperture. The fluidic adaptive lens has a nearly perfect spherical profile and shows a resolution better than 40 line pairs/mm in a plano-convex structure and 57 line pairs/mm in a biconvex structure.     

Static and dynamic Fresnel zone lenses for optical interconnections

Abstract

Static and dynamic Fresnel zone lenses were fabricated in quartz glass by means of microstructuring techniques. Two types of on-axis and offaxis lenses with different focal lengths and of different apertures were designed to operate at wavelengths of 1·52 μm and 633 nm. The blazed profile of the onaxis and off-axis lenses was approximated by up to 16 and up to four discrete levels respectively. Dynamic, that is electrically switchable, lenses have been realized by filling the structured surface with liquid crystal. The optical properties of the lenses, such as the focal spot sizes and the diffraction efficiencies, were investigated. Further the switching behaviour of the dynamic lenses was studied. The design and fabrication of the static and dynamic, on-and off-axis Fresnel zone lenses as well as their optical and switching properties will be presented.     

Patterned Paper as a Low-Cost, Flexible Substrate for Rapid Prototyping of PDMS Microdevices via "Liquid Molding"

This report describes the use of patterned paper as a low-cost, flexible substrate for rapidly prototyping PDMS microdevices via "liquid molding". The entire fabrication process consists simply of three steps: (1) fabrication of patterned paper in NC membrane by direct wax printing (or modified wax printing that we call "transfer wax printing"); (2) formation of liquid mold on wax-patterned NC membrane; (3) PDMS molding and curing on wax-patterned NC membrane anchored with liquid micropatterns. All these procedures can be finished within only 1.5 h without the use of a photomask, photoresist, UV lamp, etc. Through the use of wax-patterned NC membrane coupled with a liquid mold as a template, different PDMS microdevices such as microwells and microchannels have been fabricated to demonstrate the usefulness of the method for PDMS microfabrication. The height of microwells and microchannels can also be tailored flexibly by adjusting the liquid filling volume. This method for prototyping PDMS microdevices has some favorable merits including simple operation procedures, fast concept-to-device time, and low cost, indicating its potential for simple PDMS microdevice fabrication and applications.     

Drop‐on‐Demand Inkjet Printing of Thermally Tunable Liquid Crystal Microlenses

In this letter, the authors demonstrate Drop‐on‐Demand printing of variable focus, polarization‐independent, liquid crystal (LC) microlenses. By carefully selecting the surface treatment applied to a glass substrate, the authors are able to deposit droplets with a well‐defined curvature and contact angle, which result in micron‐sized lenses with focal lengths on the order of 300–900 µm. Observations with an optical polarizing microscope confirm the homeotopic alignment of the LC director in the droplets, which is in accordance with the polarization independent focal length. Results show that microlenses of different focal lengths can be fabricated by depositing successive droplets onto the same location on the substrate, which can then be used to build up programmable and arbitrary arrays of microlenses of various lens sizes and focal lengths. Finally, the authors utilize the thermal dependency of the order parameter of the LC to demonstrate facile tuning of the focal length. This technique has the potential to offer a low‐cost solution to the production of variable focus, arbitrary, microlens arrays.

     

Chalcogenide glass microlenses by inkjet printing

We demonstrate micrometer scale mid-IR lenses for integrated optics, using solution-based inkjet printing techniques and subsequent processing. Arsenic sulfide spherical microlenses with diameters of 10-350 μm and focal lengths of 10-700 μm have been fabricated. The baking conditions can be used to tune the precise focal length.     

Tunable solid-body elastomer lenses with electromagnetic actuation

We present novel biconvex solid-body elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane) lenses, which can be tuned in focal length by using magnetic or mechanical actuation. The focal length change is induced by applying radial elastic strain and is investigated for different initial radii of curvature of the lenses and different actuation designs. In all cases, a linear correlation between induced strain and focal length tuning, in the range of about 10% (approximately 3 mm), is found. These results compare favorably with finite element simulations.     

Alternative method for measuring effective focal length of lenses using the front and back surface reflections from a reference plate

We present a simple method for measuring the effective focal length without determining the location of principle plane of the lens. The method is based on the measurement of confocal backreflection axial responses from the front and back surfaces of a reference plate with known refractive index and thickness. We proved the concept by measuring the effective focal lengths of thin singlet lenses and complex microscope objectives. The theoretical limit of measurement precision varies depending on the numerical aperture of the lens. This method can provide an alternative focal length measurement method for complex lenses or lenses that are permanently attached to other structures. Measurement errors were analyzed theoretically and improvements in measurement accuracy were discussed.     

Highly elastic conductive polymeric MEMS

Abstract

Polymeric structures with integrated, functional microelectrical mechanical systems (MEMS) elements are increasingly important in various applications such as biomedical systems or wearable smart devices. These applications require highly flexible and elastic polymers with good conductivity, which can be embedded into a matrix that undergoes large deformations. Conductive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a suitable candidate but is still challenging to fabricate. Conductivity is achieved by filling a nonconductive PDMS matrix with conductive particles. In this work, we present an approach that uses new mixing techniques to fabricate conductive PDMS with different fillers such as carbon black, silver particles, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Additionally, the electrical properties of all three composites are examined under continuous mechanical stress. Furthermore, we present a novel, low-cost, simple three-step molding process that transfers a micro patterned silicon master into a polystyrene (PS) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) replica with improved release features. This PS/PTFE mold is used for subsequent structuring of conductive PDMS with high accuracy. The non sticking characteristics enable the fabrication of delicate structures using a very soft PDMS, which is usually hard to release from conventional molds. Moreover, the process can also be applied to polyurethanes and various other material combinations.     

Design and performance of a refractive optical system that converts a Gaussian to a flattop beam

A system of two aspheric lenses is described, which efficiently converts a collimated Gaussian beam to a flattop beam. Departing from earlier designs, both aspheric surfaces were convex, simplifying their fabrication; the output beam was designed with a continuous roll-off, allowing control of the far-field diffraction pattern; and diffraction from the entrance and exit apertures was held to a negligible level. The design principles are discussed in detail, and the performance of the as-built optics is compared quantitatively with the theoretical design. Approximately 78% of the incident power is enclosed in a region with 5% rms power variation. The 8-mm-diameter beam propagates approximately 0.5 m without significant change in the intensity profile; when the beam is expanded to 32 mm in diameter, this range increases to several meters.     

Waveguiding Fresnel Lenses: Modelling and Fabrication

Abstract

This paper examines the methods, problems and results of modelling Fresnel lenses, and the progress towards fabricating experimental devices that has resulted from these evaluations. The computer model used ray-tracing through phase-weighted two-dimensional Fresnel lenses overlaid onto optical waveguide structures. Several types of lenses were considered, digital phase shift, analogue and photolithographically optimized forms being selected for particular study. The evaluation was directed to determining the effect on performance of changes in dimensions, selected focal length and materials. Negative form lens structures were included, as were a range of fabrication methodologies, so that substrate anisotropy and overlayer refractive index were necessarily surveyed. The lens fabrication will ultimately employ three main technologies: dilute-melt proton-exchange in LiNbO₃, GaAlAs and Nb₂O₅ layers as the guiding films, with lens overlays in a range of deposited films with refractive indices up to 3·85. We report preliminary experimental results leading towards such lenses. For a typical lens, aberration and optical power transfer efficiency were measured and examined in relation to the expected coupling efficiency of the lens overlay to the optical waveguide (the ‘overlap’ integral).     

Liquid tunable lens integrated with a rotational symmetric surface for long depth of focus

A liquid tunable lens with an extended depth of focus (DOF) is proposed. By integrating a phase plate with rotational symmetric quartic function (QF) contour into the liquid lens cavity, the lens can achieve higher tolerance to the defocus aberration. The liquid lens was fabricated with a convenient and low-cost process that combined single-point diamond turning (SPDT) with soft lithography using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Experimental results demonstrate that both focal length tunability and extended DOF can be achieved with the proposed liquid lens.     

High accuracy dual lens transmittance measurements

We show how to determine the transmittance of short focal length lenses (f approximately 19 mm and f approximately 2 5 mm, in this case) with a combined uncertainty of 3 parts in 10(4) or better by measuring transmittances of lens pairs of a set of three or more lenses with the same nominal focal length. Uncertainties are minimized by optimizing the radiometric design of the setup and the measurement procedure. The technique is particularly useful in systems where the detector acceptance angle limits the beam geometry to relatively collimated beams.     

应力抛光技术加工抛物面的实验研究

大口径非球面加工技术一直是先进光学制造领域研究的前沿课题,本文开展了以大型非球面应力抛光技术(SMP)为核心的相关先进光学制造技术的研究.研究了应力抛光技术的原理及算法,以加工一块口径为φ314mm,F/7的抛物面镜为例,验证应力抛光技术的合理性和有效性.采用干涉仪检测抛光结束的抛物面其峰值(PV)为3.317λ,均方根(rms)为0.489λ.结果表明,应力抛光技术能够以较高精度、快速地形成旋转对称的抛物面,其面形误差满足或接近于非球面面形的精度要求.     

Focus retrocollimated interferometry for focal-length measurements

Focus retrocollimated interferometry is developed for the measurement of focal lengths of optical lenses and systems, and achievable accuracy is discussed. It is shown that this method can be used to measure both short and long focal lengths simply and with high accuracy.     

Fabrication of polymer-based reflowed microlenses on optical fibre with control of focal length using differential coating technique

Thermal reflow of polymer to generate spherical profile has been used to fabricate microlenses in this paper. A simple model based on the volume conservation (before and after reflow) and geometrical consideration of lens profile, shows that the focal length of the microlens produced by reflow technique is a function of the initial geometry of microcylinders, i.e. diameter and thickness. This relationship of focal length with diameter and thickness is used as a basis to control focal length. A simple spin coating technique on dual surface is used to achieve differential thickness, to control the focal length of microlenses produced on the same substrate. A biomedical application of such combination of microlenses is endoscopy where the lenses of varying diameter and equal focal length are needed on top of optical fibre bundles to provide independent function of illumination and imaging. This paper incorporates the differential thickness technique to show a micro fabrication process to produce the polymer reflowed microlenses, with a control of focal length based on thickness. The design also helps to integrate these microlenses on top an optical fibre with accurate alignment.     

The effect of oscillating flow on a horizontal dilute-phase pneumatic conveying

ABSTRACT

A horizontal dilute-phase pneumatic conveying system using vertically oscillating soft fins at the inlet of the gas–particle mixture was studied to reduce the power consumption and conveying velocity in the conveying process. The effect of different fin lengths on horizontal pneumatic conveying was studied in terms of the pressure drop, conveying velocity, power consumption, particle velocity, and intensity of particle fluctuation velocity for the case of a low solid mass flow rate. The conveying pipeline consisted of a horizontal smooth acrylic tube with an inner diameter of 80 mm and a length of approximately 5 m. Two types of polyethylene particles with diameters of 2.3 and 3.3 mm were used as conveying materials. The superficial air velocity was varied from 10 to 17 m/s, and the solid mass flow rates were 0.25 and 0.20 kg/s. Compared with conventional pneumatic conveying, the pressure drop, MPD (minimum pressure drop), critical velocities, and power consumption can be reduced by using soft fins in a lower air velocity range, and the efficiency of fins becomes more evident when increasing the length of fins or touching particles stream by the long fins. The maximum reduction rates of the MPD velocity and power consumption when using soft fins are approximately 15% and 26%, respectively. The magnitude of the vertical particle velocity for different lengths of fins is clearly lower than that of the vertical particle velocity for a non-fin conveying system near the bottom of the pipeline, indicating that the particles are easily suspended. The intensities of particle fluctuation velocity of using fins are larger than that of non-fin. The high particle fluctuation energy implies that particles are easily suspended and are easily conveyed and accelerated.     

Anomalous Index of Refraction in Photonic Bandgap Materials

Abstract

Near the gap in a photonic bandgap material the effective index of refraction can become less than unity and in fact can approach zero at the band edge itself—leading to ultra-refractive optical effects. We illustrate this effect quantitatively in a simple one-dimensional Kronig-Penney model of a three-dimensional bandgap structure. As a complement to index-enhancing schemes involving lasing without inversion, ultra-refractive optics with photonic band materials has many applications, including laser accelerators and lenses of ultra-short focal lengths.     

Study of the fabrication of infrared-transparent dielectric aspheric deposits by continuous-wave laser deposition

The fabrication of dielectric aspheric deposits with optical refractive functionality by a continuous-wave laser deposition technique is reported for the particular case of an amorphous As-S alloy. The influence of both the laser power and fabrication times in the deposit thickness profile is studied from the measurements performed by a mechanical profilometer. The use of press-powder tablets as starting material have been found to have a significant effect in the deposition efficiency, and indications of a transition from a discrete to a continuous nature of the target, have also been observed. A notable reproducibility has been found both in the material stoichiometry and thickness profiles. The optical function of the fabricated refractive aspheric deposits has been measured to be similar to one performed by axicon lenses.     

Analysis of the focal characteristics of cylindrical lenses made of anisotropically dielectric material based on rigorous electromagnetic theory

Abstract

The focal characteristics of refractive cylindrical lenses made of anisotropically dielectric material (uniaxial crystal) are analysed based on rigorous electromagnetic theory and the boundary element method. The performances of the lenses with different f numbers are appraised for both incident waves of the TE (transverse electric) and TM (transverse magnetic) polarizations. Numerical results show that the focal performance of this kind of lens for the TE polarization and the TM polarization of incident light wave is a difference, in particular, different focal lengths, owing to the anisotropy of the material. However, for the conventional isotropic lens, the focal features for both the TE and TM polarizations are the same. It is anticipated that this new kind of lens proposed for the first time may serve as a light switching device with high speed used in the micro-optical communication.     

Comparative analysis of doublets versus single-layer diffractive optical elements in eyepiece or magnifier design

We quantify the impact of eye clearance requirement on the performance of eyepieces utilizing doublets versus diffractive optical elements on aspheric substrates. In this study, the doublets were designed to be cemented on-axis elements. Specifically, four different values of eye clearance were implemented: 17, 20, 23, and 26 mm. For each value, axial and lateral color, spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, field curvature, and distortion were compared. Each system under comparison was optimized for the same focal length, a 9 mm exit pupil, photopic wavelengths (513-608 nm), and a 40 degrees full field of view. We demonstrate that the single-layer diffractive optical element supports an eye clearance value of approximately 80% of the effective focal length, while the doublet drops below desired specifications at approximately 65% of the effective focal length.