Liquid crystals have been used in displays, spatial light modulators, various phase/polarization modulators and lenses. In most lens applications, where a continuous variability is needed, the refractive lens approaches (particularly the gradient index (GRIN)) are privileged. However, this approach is limiting the achievable optical power variability range for application requiring larger clear aperture diameters (ophthalmic, augmented reality, etc.). We shall describe two new approaches allowing the further increase of that diameter while still keeping the optical quality of the lens as high. Those approaches are based on the addition of a control electrode and its dynamic control. The presentation will focus on design aspects, but the corresponding application requirements will be discussed also.
|