Electrically tunable gradient-index lenses via nematic liquid crystals with a method of spatially extended phase distribution

Wang, Yu-Jen; Hsieh, Hung-Chih; Lin, Yi-Hsin

doi:10.1364/oe.27.032398

Cited by 22 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The development of excellent light control functions through LC microlenses has also become one of the hot topics. In order to take advantage of the defocusing effect of LC microlenses and further expand their focusing range, Kang et al proposed an electronically controlled composite LC microlens array [9], and Wang et al also proposed a stacked structure [10] for changing the electric field distribution at the edges of the microapertures, which can efficiently achieve focusing operation with a large aperture. The above mentioned LC microstructures demonstrate the unique position of LC materials in the field of optical imaging and light wave control, in order to explore the potential of LC materials more deeply and to study the response of electric field in LC cavities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toroidal composite liquid crystal microlens array co-driven by four independent signal voltages

zhe,

Yang,

Zhang

2024

MIPPR 2023: Multispectral Image Acquisition, Processing, and Analysis

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A new type of liquid crystal microlens array (LCMLA) constructed by a single-layered LC materials is proposed. By controlling the applied signal voltage, a gradient electric field distribution is formed in the liquid crystal cavity, and the pointing vectors of the liquid crystal molecules are reoriented according to the formed electric field distribution, thus achieving the regulation of the light beam. The functional area of the basic annular integrated liquid crystal microlens is divided into three layers： The first layer is the main structural area, including four concentric ring electrode arrays with different radii, and the transparent ITO is selected as the electrode material; The middle layer is a silica insulation layer, and the main function is to insulate the first and third layers; The third layer is an aluminum metal electrode layer, which main function is to effectively isolate the electric field generated by the structural area of the first layer. Compared with traditional LC microlenses driven electrically，this structure mainly verifies the changes in the spatial electric field in the liquid crystal cavity under the action of the metal electrode baffle. The four concentric rings are modulated by independently driven-out signal voltages, and each ring produces a differentiated effect by applying different signal voltages. This research has laid a solid foundation for continuously developing LCMLA technology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toroidal composite liquid crystal microlens array co-driven by four independent signal voltages

zhe,

Yang,

Zhang

2024

MIPPR 2023: Multispectral Image Acquisition, Processing, and Analysis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These special electrode structures are used to generate in-plane or fringe electric field, which lead to GRIN profile. However, there is a restriction between tunable range of lens power and aperture size because of the limitation of birefringence of LC materials [6]. To overcome this obstacle, LC lenses based on multiple ring-shaped electrodes [7], Pancharatnam-Berry phase type [8] and Fresnel type [9] are proposed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

P‐81: Electrically Tunable GRIN Liquid‐Crystal Lenticular Lens Array with Short Focal Length

Chu

Wang

2021

Symp Digest of Tech Papers

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“…Currently, the most prevalent approaches to dynamic axial focusing achieve focus tuning by deforming or reorienting optofluidic 9 , 10 , elastomeric 11 or liquid crystal-based 12 lens components. While such technologies offer straightforward actuation mechanisms, their lagging performance capabilities are increasingly apparent relative to accompanying optical components, especially lateral scanning tools that are often used in conjunction with axial focusing for joint 3D scanning capabilities 1 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A micromirror array with annular partitioning for high-speed random-access axial focusing

et al. 2020

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Dynamic axial focusing functionality has recently experienced widespread incorporation in microscopy, augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), adaptive optics and material processing. However, the limitations of existing varifocal tools continue to beset the performance capabilities and operating overhead of the optical systems that mobilize such functionality. The varifocal tools that are the least burdensome to operate (e.g. liquid crystal, elastomeric or optofluidic lenses) suffer from low (≈100 Hz) refresh rates. Conversely, the fastest devices sacrifice either critical capabilities such as their dwelling capacity (e.g. acoustic gradient lenses or monolithic micromechanical mirrors) or low operating overhead (e.g. deformable mirrors). Here, we present a general-purpose random-access axial focusing device that bridges these previously conflicting features of high speed, dwelling capacity and lightweight drive by employing low-rigidity micromirrors that exploit the robustness of defocusing phase profiles. Geometrically, the device consists of an 8.2 mm diameter array of piston-motion and 48-μm-pitch micromirror pixels that provide 2π phase shifting for wavelengths shorter than 1100 nm with 10–90% settling in 64.8 μs (i.e., 15.44 kHz refresh rate). The pixels are electrically partitioned into 32 rings for a driving scheme that enables phase-wrapped operation with circular symmetry and requires <30 V per channel. Optical experiments demonstrated the array’s wide focusing range with a measured ability to target 29 distinct resolvable depth planes. Overall, the features of the proposed array offer the potential for compact, straightforward methods of tackling bottlenecked applications, including high-throughput single-cell targeting in neurobiology and the delivery of dense 3D visual information in AR/VR.

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Electrically tunable gradient-index lenses via nematic liquid crystals with a method of spatially extended phase distribution

Cited by 22 publications

References 25 publications

Toroidal composite liquid crystal microlens array co-driven by four independent signal voltages

Toroidal composite liquid crystal microlens array co-driven by four independent signal voltages

P‐81: Electrically Tunable GRIN Liquid‐Crystal Lenticular Lens Array with Short Focal Length

A micromirror array with annular partitioning for high-speed random-access axial focusing

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