Armament Research-Switchable Lens

In an imaging seeker or laser radar, there is a need to change from a low-resolution image with a wide field of view to a high-resolution image with a narrower field of view as the imager-to-object distance decreases. To minimize the cost, size, and complexity of the overall system, it is inadvisable to use more than one camera for multiple resolutions of images. This means that a single camera must operate in the focal plane of two or more imaging systems with different focal lengths. In this program, we will design and fabricate an electronically switchable electro-optic lens. The lens be capable of switching among multiple focal lengths. Combinations of these switchable lenses can be used to form electro-optic zoom lenses with no moving parts.