Imaging with the liquid-crystal adaptive lens

Wing W. Chan; Stephen T. Kowel

doi:10.1117/12.279264

30 October 1997 Imaging with the liquid-crystal adaptive lens

Wing W. Chan, Stephen T. Kowel

Proceedings Volume 3143, Liquid Crystals; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.279264
Event: Optical Science, Engineering and Instrumentation '97, 1997, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The liquid crystal adaptive lens (LCAL) is an electro-optical device whose focal length can be varied electrically. The discrete nature of the electrodes of the device introduces phase aberrations which degrade the performance of the LCAL. We introduce a novel electrode architecture, called 'conductive ladder meshing' (CLM) and a 'stimulated annealing' voltage dithering technique to reduce the phase aberrations. True imaging experiments with a spherical CLM LCAL were performed for a single incoming polarization under white light illumination. Experimental results revealed that the image formed wee comparable to those formed by a fixed lens in terms of resolution,although, the contrast was worse. In addition o variable focal lengths, the CLM LCAL is capable of image translation orthogonal to the propagation direction.

Citation Download Citation

Wing W. Chan and Stephen T. Kowel "Imaging with the liquid-crystal adaptive lens", Proc. SPIE 3143, Liquid Crystals, (30 October 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.279264

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available