Varifocal AGRIN Lens Multi-Planar Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lenses, including gradient refractive index lenses, have fixed optical properties and cannot dynamically adjust their focal length to accommodate multiple objects at different depths within the maximum depth of field, limiting their ability to produce sharp images of objects in various planes without overlapping.
Innovation Solution
The use of active gradient refractive index lenses created by a laser beam, which modifies the refractive index distribution through thermal focusing, allowing for adjustable focal lengths and positions to achieve sharp images of multiple objects across different planes by controlling the temperature and position of the lens within the optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed focal length lenses are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to capture objects at different depths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a varifocal lens that can dynamically change its focal length to focus on objects at different depths. The lens transitions from a fixed focal length state to a variable focal length state, allowing the optical system to capture sharp images of multiple objects at different planes without requiring multiple lenses or complex switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (focal length) of the lens dynamically. By varying the focal length parameter of the varifocal lens, the system can adjust its focusing capability to capture objects at different depths, transforming the lens from a static optical element to an adaptive one that responds to different imaging requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses are used to capture objects at different depths, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single lens multi-functional by implementing varifocal capability. Instead of using multiple separate lenses for different focal lengths, one lens is designed to perform multiple focusing functions by varying its focal length, thereby capturing objects at different depths with a single optical component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple lens functions into a single varifocal lens. The ability to focus at multiple depths, which would traditionally require multiple lenses, is merged into one lens that can dynamically adjust its focal length, reducing the total number of optical components while maintaining the capability to image objects at different planes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the depth of field is increased to capture objects at different depths, then the adaptability improves, but the illumination intensity and image sharpness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a large aperture that would require increasing depth of field (resulting in reduced illumination), the patent uses a dynamic focal length adjustment mechanism. The varifocal lens can change its focal length to focus sharply on objects at different depths, maintaining high illumination intensity and image sharpness by keeping the aperture optimal for each focusing distance.
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
Enables the creation of sharp images of multiple objects in different planes beyond the standard depth of field, with automatic focal length and position adjustment, allowing for continuous focusing of light in various points within the image space, even when objects are in motion or at varying distances.
Implementation Method 1
The absorption of laser beams causes a local heating of the material
Implementation Method 2
This phenomenon is called thermal focusing, and the lens formed in this manner is referred to as a thermal lens
Implementation Method 3
the presence of the active gradient refractive index lens changes the objective plane of the microscope
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject of the invention is a method of creating a multi-planar image by using varifocal lenses and a device to realize the method, having application in the optical industry. Image forming method using a multi-planar varifocal lens, characterized in that the beam of light rays coming from any light source is directed to observed object (1), which reflects or transmits part of these light rays, on the path of which at least one diverging or converging type AGRIN lens 6' and at least one converging lens of classical or AGRIN type are placed, in such a way that light rays reflected from or passed through a part of observed object (1) pass through the AGRIN lens 6', and the light rays reflected or passed through the remaining part of the observed object (1) do not pass through the AGRIN lens 6', however, they penetrate through the AGRIN plate (5) in the region of homogeneous ∇n refraction index, with all of the rays that pass through the AGRIN plate (5) having passed through previously, or passing through at least one classical or AGRIN type converging lens, and as a result of which, the rays from the observed object (1) that passed through the AGRIN lens 6' form a sharp image 4" of the part of the observation object (1) at a different imaging distance measured from the second plane of the main AGRIN lens 6', and the rays from the observed object (1) do not obscure the AGRIN lens 6', and they form a sharp image of a fragment of the observed object at the same image distance measured from the second plane of the main AGRIN lens 6', in which image 4' of the second observed object 1' appears, located in a different plane than the observed object 1', all light rays that pass through the optical system used for imaging pass through the AGRIN lens 6', which then participate in creating a sharp image 4' of the observed object 1' in one image plane, identical to the plane in which a sharp image 4 of a part of the observed object 1 was created, after placing the next AGRIN lens 6" in the AGRIN plate 5 with a properly selected focal length, all light rays reflected from, or passing through, a fragment of another observed object 1"' that passes through the optical system used for imaging and passes through the AGRIN lens 6" form an image of this part of the observed object 1"' at the same imaging distance measured from the second plane of the main AGRIN lens 6', in which the image of the object and a part of object (1) is created. A multi-planar image creation device using a varifocal lens containing a laser light source, a holder sliding in two perpendicular directions, an optical element transmitting imaged light over a wide spectral range, and reflecting laser light, an AGRIN plate, a laser-impermeable filter and a housing holding the components at fixed mutual distances, characterized in that the laser light source is a fiber optic collimator (17) connected to an external laser, which is mounted in a sliding holder (18) operating in two directions perpendicular to the direction of the laser beam (8) coming out of the laser light source, which is fixed to the sliding holder (18) with a clamp (19), an optical element (9) is located in the housing (22) in such a way that it transmits the imaged light beam (7) and reflects the laser beam (8), and the AGRIN plate (5) is mounted in the housing (22) in such a way that the laser beam (8) falls on it perpendicularly and behind the AGRIN plate (5), located in the housing (22), is a filter (12) absorbing the light of the laser beam (8) through the optical element (9).