Pressure-Actuated Elastomer Lens with Highly Tunable Focal Length

This research will advance the state-of-the art technology in tunable-focal-length lenses for the visible spectrum and the mid IR wavelengths, by utilizing the unique optical and mechanical properties of polymers, which otherwise are not exploitable by alternative approaches such as electrowetting. We will combine our extensive polymer and optics expertise to identify candidate elastomers, analyze the structural, geometric-optical, and chromatic dispersive characteristics of continuously tunable lenses based on shape change of elastomers under applied pressure, and provide candidate designs of imaging systems with rapid auto-focus and high zoom ratio based on adaptive polymer lenses.