COMPACT POLYMER LENS
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an optical element having adjustable focal length comprising a first transparent layer having a chosen flexibility and being provided with a piezoelectric layer adapted to contract upon the application of an electrical voltage and thus bend the first transparent layer, the piezoelectric layer being symmetrically positioned relative to an axis, and wherein the first transparent layer is applied on a substrate having a through going cavity positioned essentially symmetrical relative to said axis, and a transparent polymer being positioned in said cavity having a surface contact with said first transparent layer.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1-14. -14. (canceled)
-
15. An optical element having adjustable focal length comprising:
-
a first transparent layer having a chosen flexibility; a piezoelectric layer adapted to contract upon the application of an electrical voltage and bend the first transparent layer, wherein the first transparent layer is applied on a substrate having a through going cavity being essentially symmetrical relative to an axis, and a transparent polymer positioned in said cavity and having a surface contact with said first transparent layer, wherein the first transparent layer is constituted by a hard material comprising glass, sapphire or SiO2, and the piezoelectric layer is constituted by a ring shaped piezoelectric element positioned symmetrically relative to said axis such that a central area of said ring achieves an essentially spherical refractive surface upon the application of an electrical voltage. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method for producing a lens comprising the steps of:
-
providing a silicon plate having a SiO2 or glass layer on one side; etching an opening into said silicon plate; positioning a soft polymer into said opening, the soft polymer thus having contact with the SiO2 or glass layer; and positioning a ring shaped piezoelectric element on said SiO2 or glass layer coaxially with a chosen optical axis, wherein said ring shaped piezoelectric element is adapted to provide a force to the SiO2 or glass layer thus making a bulge or dome in said first layer and said soft polymer in a central area of said ring shaped piezoelectric element. - View Dependent Claims (26)
-
-
27. A method for providing a lens comprising the steps of:
-
depositing a ring shaped piezoelectric actuator on one side of a glass substrate; thinning the glass substrate by etching or grinding from a side of said glass substrate opposite the one side to form a cavity with a chosen depth, with a thin transparent glass layer remaining; and placing a soft polymer at one of the sides of the thinned glass layer with the ring shaped piezoelectric actuator thus surrounding a central area positioned on the opposite side from said cavity.
-
Specification