Solid Polymer Tunable Micro-Lens Thermal Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tunable micro-lenses face challenges such as complex fabrication processes, difficulty in miniaturization, and integration with micro-optical systems due to issues like interface friction, liquid evaporation, and optical aberrations, limiting their potential applications.

Innovation Solution

A solid-state tunable micro-optical device composed of polymer materials with a temperature-adjusting mechanism, featuring a ring structure with micro-lenses and heaters, allowing for easy fabrication and integration without the need for additional pumping systems or phase transitions, enabling precise control of focal length through thermal expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If liquid-filled lens or liquid crystal approaches are used to achieve tunability, then focal length adjustment is possible, but interface friction, evaporation, and optical aberration problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetunabilityVSAvoidinterface friction and evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid to solid polymer, eliminating interface friction and evaporation while maintaining tunability through thermal expansion-induced refractive index changes and shape modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pumping system required for liquid-filled lenses with a thermal field control system that uses temperature adjustment to achieve lens deformation and focal length tuning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If liquid-filled lens with pressure source is used to achieve large tuning range, then focal length adjustment is possible, but additional pressure source and complex control requirements are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetuning rangeVSAvoidpressure source and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure source and pumping system with a thermal field control system using heating elements, significantly simplifying the device structure while maintaining large tuning range through thermal expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the complex pressure source and pumping system from the lens structure, retaining only the essential thermal control elements integrated directly into the polymer lens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrowetting approach is used for tuning, then contact angle and surface profile can be changed, but interface friction and evaporation problems cannot be ignored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface profile controlVSAvoidinterface friction and evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material state from liquid to solid polymer, eliminating interface friction and evaporation while maintaining surface profile control through thermal expansion-induced deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If solid-state polymer material is used to eliminate phase transition, then reliability is improved, but fabrication complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveno phase transition requiredVSAvoidfabrication process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the thermal expansion parameter of solid polymer materials to achieve lens deformation and focal length tuning, avoiding complex phase transition processes while maintaining ease of fabrication through standard polymer processing techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a simple, reliable, and high-yield fabrication process for miniaturized tunable micro-lenses that can be easily integrated with optical components, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by eliminating the need for extra pumping systems and phase transitions, while offering precise control over focal length and aberration correction.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature-adjusting device adjusting at least one of a temperature of the second ring and a temperature of the first ring, and deforming at least one of the first and the second micro-lenses thereby

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS7623303B2Solid tunable micro optical device and method

Publication Date: 2009.11.24 NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A solid tunable micro optical device for an micro-optical system is provided. The sold tunable micro optical device includes a first annular piece, a micro-lens with a spherical surface configured on the first annular piece, and a deforming device coupled to the first annular piece for deforming the micro-lens.