Abstract: The illumination source has a LED light source (2) generating a first divergent light field (6). The light from the LED light source (2) is processed by a first optical element (10), in particular a first lens element, to generate a second divergent light field (19). The first divergent light field (19) is processed by a second optical element (20) having a variable lens variable focus in order to generate a third light field (35) whose divergence can be varied.

Abstract: An optical device includes a soft polymer film having a first and second surface. A first compliant electrode is connected to the first surface and a second compliant electrode is connected to the second surface. A rigid optical element is connected on the first and/or second surface or integrated into the polymer film.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a housing, a deformable lens, and a lens shaper. The lens shaper defines the shape of the deformable lens. A first mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. A second mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. The second mechanism is at least one of an electromechanical actuator or motor. The first mechanism and the second mechanism are different types of mechanisms.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. A first volume of a first optical media and a second volume of a second optical media are defined at least in part by the deformable portion of the membrane. The first volume and the second volume are completely enclosed by the housing. The first volume and the second volume remain substantially constant for all configurations of the first deformable lens.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an adjustable optical lens comprising a membrane, a support for the membrane, a fluid between the membrane and the support, an actuator for deforming the membrane, and a rigid ring connected to the membrane for moving with the membrane for ensuring that a section of the membrane surrounded by the rigid ring has a defined circumference.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first membrane, a second membrane and at least one electromagnetically displaceable component. The first membrane includes an optically active area. The first membrane and the second membrane are coupled by a filler material disposed in a reservoir. At least one electromagnetically displaceable component is coupled to the filler material via the second membrane, such that a displacement of the at least one electromagnetically displaceable component is operative to cause a deformation of the optically active area of the first membrane by movement of the filler material.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. A first volume of a first optical media and a second volume of a second optical media are defined at least in part by the deformable portion of the membrane. The first volume and the second volume are completely enclosed by the housing. The first volume and the second volume remain substantially constant for all configurations of the first deformable lens.

Abstract: An optical device includes a soft polymer film having a first and second surface. A first compliant electrode is connected to the first surface and a second compliant electrode is connected to the second surface. A rigid optical element is connected on the first and/or second surface or integrated into the polymer film.

Abstract: An optical device includes a soft polymer film having a first and second surface. A first compliant electrode is connected to the first surface and a second compliant electrode is connected to the second surface. A rigid optical element is connected on the first and/or second surface or integrated into the polymer film.

Abstract: The illumination source has a LED light source (2) generating a first divergent light field (6). The light from the LED light source (2) is processed by a first optical element (10), in particular a first lens element, to generate a second divergent light field (19). The first divergent light field (19) is processed by a second optical element (20) having a variable lens variable focus in order to generate a third light field (35) whose divergence can be varied.

Abstract: A device includes a flexible polymer membrane with compliant electrodes attached thereto. The membrane is suspended in a frame. A handle, which is displaceable in respect to the frame, is connected to the membrane. A displacement of the handle causes the electrodes on the membrane to be deformed, thereby changing their area and resistance. The change of area or resistance is measured by a capacitive or resistive sensing circuit and is used to measure the deformation and therefore the displacement of the handle.

Abstract: An optical device includes a soft polymer film having a first and second surface. A first compliant electrode is connected to the first surface and a second compliant electrode is connected to the second surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to different optical active elements (1, 20, 22) such as tunable diffraction gratings and tunable phase shifters having in general a similar setup. The optical active elements (1, 20, 22) comprise an intermediate layer (4) made out of a deformable material which is mechanically interconnected to a driving means. The driving means comprises a first and a second driving plate (2, 3) arranged in general opposite to each other on opposite sides of and at least partially covering the intermediate layer (4) such that a local compression of the intermediate layer (4) by the driving plates (2, 3) causes a local reduction of the thickness in a first direction. This reduction in a first direction causes a secondary deformation of the intermediate layer in a second direction which results in a change of the optical behavior of the optical active element.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. A first volume of a first optical media and a second volume of a second optical media are defined at least in part by the deformable portion of the membrane. The first volume and the second volume are completely enclosed by the housing. The first volume and the second volume remain substantially constant for all configurations of the first deformable lens.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first membrane, a second membrane and at least one electromagnetically displaceable component. The first membrane includes an optically active area. The first membrane and the second membrane are coupled by a filler material disposed in a reservoir. At least one electromagnetically displaceable component is coupled to the filler material via the second membrane, such that a displacement of the at least one electromagnetically displaceable component is operative to cause a deformation of the optically active area of the first membrane by movement of the filler material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to different optical active elements (1, 20, 22) such as tunable diffraction gratings and tunable phase shifters having in general a similar setup. The optical active elements (1, 20, 22) comprise an intermediate layer (4) made out of a deformable material which is mechanically interconnected to a driving means. The driving means comprises a first and a second driving plate (2, 3) arranged in general opposite to each other on opposite sides of and at least partially covering the intermediate layer (4) such that a local compression of the intermediate layer (4) by the driving plates (2, 3) causes a local reduction of the thickness in a first direction. This reduction in a first direction causes a secondary deformation of the intermediate layer in a second direction which results in a change of the optical behavior of the optical active element.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tunable diffraction grating (1) with optically active elements (5) arranged at a distance (A) next to each other. The optically active elements (5) are displaceable relative to each other in a lateral direction (x, y) and mechanically interconnected to a layer (4), which is made out of a deformable material. A deformation of the layer (4) in a direction (z) in general perpendicular to the lateral direction (x, y) causes a change in the relative distance (A) of the optically active elements (5).