Electrically optofluidic zoom system with a large zoom range and high-resolution image

Li, Lei; Yuan, Rong-Ying; Wang, Jinhui; Wang, Qiong‐Hua

doi:10.1364/oe.25.022280

Cited by 19 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The most straightforward way to make the focal length and magnification independently controllable is to use a combination of independently tunable lenses. This has been demonstrated, for instance, using electrowetting lenses ( Li et al, 2017 ).…”

Section: Challenges For the Futurementioning

confidence: 99%

Electrically Tunable Lenses: A Review

et al. 2021

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Optical lenses with electrically controllable focal length are of growing interest, in order to reduce the complexity, size, weight, response time and power consumption of conventional focusing/zooming systems, based on glass lenses displaced by motors. They might become especially relevant for diverse robotic and machine vision-based devices, including cameras not only for portable consumer electronics (e.g. smart phones) and advanced optical instrumentation (e.g. microscopes, endoscopes, etc.), but also for emerging applications like small/micro-payload drones and wearable virtual/augmented-reality systems. This paper reviews the most widely studied strategies to obtain such varifocal “smart lenses”, which can electrically be tuned, either directly or via electro-mechanical or electro-thermal coupling. Only technologies that ensure controllable focusing of multi-chromatic light, with spatial continuity (i.e. continuous tunability) in wavefronts and focal lengths, as required for visible-range imaging, are considered. Both encapsulated fluid-based lenses and fully elastomeric lenses are reviewed, ranging from proof-of-concept prototypes to commercially available products. They are classified according to the focus-changing principles of operation, and they are described and compared in terms of advantages and drawbacks. This systematic overview should help to stimulate further developments in the field.

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Section: Challenges For the Futurementioning

confidence: 99%

Electrically Tunable Lenses: A Review

et al. 2021

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“…Optical zoom systems based on an electrowetting liquid lens have become a research hotspot in the field of optics. Many zoom systems based on electrowetting liquid lenses have been proposed [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. For example, a two-liquid-lenses zoom system was proposed, in which a zoom factor of 1.8 was implemented [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deep Learning Enables Optofluidic Zoom System with Large Zoom Ratio and High Imaging Resolution

Jian-cheng

Kuang

Liu

et al. 2023

Sensors

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Due to the relatively low optical power of a liquid lens, it is usually difficult to achieve a large zoom ratio and a high-resolution image simultaneously in an optofluidic zoom imaging system. We propose an electronically controlled optofluidic zoom imaging system combined with deep learning, which achieves a large continuous zoom change and a high-resolution image. The zoom system consists of an optofluidic zoom objective and an image-processing module. The proposed zoom system can achieve a large tunable focal length range from 4.0 mm to 31.3 mm. In the focal length range of 9.4 mm to 18.8 mm, the system can dynamically correct the aberrations by six electrowetting liquid lenses to ensure the image quality. In the focal length range of 4.0–9.4 mm and 18.8–31.3 mm, the optical power of a liquid lens is mainly used to enlarge the zoom ratio, and deep learning enables the proposed zoom system with improved image quality. The zoom ratio of the system reaches 7.8×, and the maximum field of view of the system can reach ~29°. The proposed zoom system has potential applications in camera, telescope and so on.

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“…Nevertheless, unlike natural compound eyes that rely on the visual organs mentioned above, artificial compound eyes should be designed and produced based on an electronic digital imaging system. Despite the fact that attempts at developing tunable microlens systems have been made in recent years, ,,− for instance, using smart materials, reports on dynamically tunable compound eyes are still rare. Actually, tuning the imaging performance of a compound eye can be achieved by varying the FOV, focal length of ommatidia, and the geometry of the main lens.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioinspired Zoom Compound Eyes Enable Variable-Focus Imaging

Cao

Hou

Tian

et al. 2020

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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Natural compound eyes provide the inspiration for developing artificial optical devices that feature a large field of view (FOV). However, the imaging ability of artificial compound eyes is generally based on the large number of ommatidia. The lack of a tunable imaging mechanism significantly limits the practical applications of artificial compound eyes, for instance, distinguishing targets at different distances. Herein, we reported zoom compound eyes that enable variable-focus imaging by integrating a deformable poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microlens array (MLA) with a microfluidic chamber. The thin and soft PDMS MLA was fabricated by soft lithography using a hard template prepared by a combined technology of femtosecond laser processing and wet etching. As compared with other mechanical machining strategies, our combined technology features high flexibility, efficiency, and uniformity, as well as designable processing capability, since the size, distribution, and arrangement of the ommatidia can be well controlled during femtosecond laser processing. By tuning the volume of water injected into the chamber, the PDMS MLA can deform from a planar structure to a hemispherical shape, evolving into a tunable compound eye of variable FOV up to 180°. More importantly, the tunable chamber can functionalize as the main zoom lens for tunable imaging, which endows the compound eye with the additional capability of distinguishing targets at different distances. Its focal length can be turned from 3.03 mm to infinity with an angular resolution of 3.86 × 10–4 rad. This zoom compound eye combines the advantages of monocular eyes and compound eyes together, holding great promise for developing advanced micro-optical devices that enable large FOV and variable-focus imaging.

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Electrically optofluidic zoom system with a large zoom range and high-resolution image

Cited by 19 publications

References 12 publications

Electrically Tunable Lenses: A Review

Electrically Tunable Lenses: A Review

Deep Learning Enables Optofluidic Zoom System with Large Zoom Ratio and High Imaging Resolution

Bioinspired Zoom Compound Eyes Enable Variable-Focus Imaging

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