Variable focal lens

Abstract

The invention relates to a variable focal lens comprising a chamber containing a conductive liquid (5) and an insulating liquid (4) of different refractive indices, the surface of contact between the two liquids forming a deformable refractive surface (6) whose periphery is caused to move along the walls of a housing under the effect of an electric voltage (V). The housing comprises an upper portion (16) inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (”) of the lens, a lower portion (34, 48, 52) more inclined than the upper portion and a zone of junction (B') between the upper and lower portions, playing the role of a stop for the deformable refractive interface.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a zoom lens, and more particularly, to a lens that deforms a liquid droplet using the electrowetting phenomenon and an optical device including the lens. Background technique [0002] Embodiments of a zoom lens are described in the applicant's European patent EP1166157. [0003] Figure 1 shows a cross-section of an exemplary conventional zoom lens along a plane containing the optical axis Δ of the lens. A cell is defined by two insulating transparent plates 1 and 2 and side walls not shown. The plates and the side walls define a sealed cavity filled with an insulating fluid and a conductive fluid which is immiscible with the insulating fluid and has the same density as it but a different refractive index. The lower plate 2 is not flat and includes a dimple or notch 3 for receiving a drop 4 of insulating liquid. The remaining hollow is filled with conductive liquid 5 . Typically, conductive fluids are aqueous liquids...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In practice, however, lens manufacturers usually cannot influence the user to apply voltages to the hollow body electrodes, and therefore cannot be sure that the user will not supply a voltage higher than the threshold V 2 voltage

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