Abstract: In an optical scanning device (10) capable of scanning an information plane of an optical record carrier (5) of different types such as BD, DVD and CD, the diameter of the radiation spot on the detector (7) is dependent on the numerical aperture of the objective system (4) that is used for scanning the record carrier An optimal design of the optical detection system for scanning a BD, result in a small radiation spot for the other types such as DVD and CD.

Abstract: An optical scanning device (1) for scanning an information layer (2) of an optical record carrier (3). The device includes a radiation source (7) for providing at least a first radiation beam along a first optical path, and a second radiation beam along a second, different optical path. An objective lens system (8) converges the radiation beams on the information layer A beam-deflecting element (30) is arranged to refract said second radiation beam towards the optical axis of the lens system. The beam-deflecting element includes at least one fluid (A). A controller is provided to vary the configuration of the fluid to control the amount of refraction provided by the beam deflector element over a predetermined range.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning an information layer (2) of an optical record carrier (3). The device includes a radiation source (7) for providing at least a first radiation beam of a first polarization along a first optical path, and a second radiation beam of a second, different polarization along a second, different optical path. An objective lens system, having an optical axis (19a), is arranged to converge the radiation beams on the information layer A beam-deflecting element (30) comprising a birefringent material is orientated such that each of said polarized radiation beams experiences a different index of refraction upon passing through the birefringent material, and is arranged to refract at least the first radiation beam towards the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical system comprising a diffraction element (2) formed of a substantially rigid first material having a first refractive index. The diffraction element has a first plurality of grooves (4) at a first interface of the diffraction element with a second material (8) having a second refractive index; and a second, different, plurality of grooves (6) at a second, different, interface of the diffraction element with a third material (10) having a third refractive index. The first and second pluralities of grooves (4), (6) are aligned with respect to each other such that a combined diffractive effect is achieved. Moreover, the third material (10) is a liquid. The diffractive element may be manufactured using an injection moulding technique, following which the second and/or third materials may be applied in fluid form.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber having side and end walls, and contains a first fluid (20) and a second fluid (22). The fluids are non-miscible and the second fluid is capable of being influenced by a magnetic field. A device (19) for providing a magnetic field over at least a portion of the fluid chamber is provided, with the magnetic field being capable of moving the second fluid so that the positions of the first an second fluids in the fluid chamber are altered. The second fluid may be a ferrofluid.

Abstract: An optical scanning device (1) for scanning at least one information layer (2) of at least one optical record carrier (3). The device includes a radiation source (7) for providing at least a first radiation beam (4) comprising a first wavelength, an objective lens system (8) for converging the first radiation beam on a respective information layer (2), an information detector (23) for detecting at least a portion of the first radiation beam (22) reflected from the respective information layer, for determining information on said layer, and a spherical aberration detection system.

Abstract: A variable reflector device, comprising a reflector (6) arranged to direct light from a light source (7) and a casing (5) containing the reflector (6), a portion of said casing (5) being transparent to light directed by the reflector (6). The reflector (6) is formed by a meniscus (2) at an interface between two immiscible fluids (3,4) contained in said casing (5). According to this design, the spatial distribution of light from the light source is changeable by changing the shape of the meniscus between the two fluids. Since a change in shape of the meniscus is effected by a displacement of fluids rather than of mechanical parts, the change in reflector shape can generally be performed faster and with less energy consumption than is the case with previously known designs. Further, a meniscus between two immiscible fluids can, due to the nature of fluids, take on several different shapes, which is not the case when a solid body reflector is utilised.

Abstract: An optical scanning device (1) includes a radiation source (7), a detector (23) and a beam splitter (9). The radiation source (7) provides an incident radiation beam (4, 20) along a first optical path (19a) for scanning an information layer (2) of an optical record carrier (3). The detector (23) detects at least a portion of the radiation beam (22) reflected from the optical record carrier (3). The beam splitter (9) transmits the incident radiation beam (4) received from the radiation source along the first optical path (19a) towards the optical record carrier. The beam splitter (9) also transmits the reflected beam (22) received from the optical record carrier (3) along a second, different optical path (19b) towards the detector. The optical scanning device further includes a beam-deflecting element (30; 130; 230; 330; 630; 830; 930) positioned on the second optical path (19b) between the beam splitter (9) and the detector (23).

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and an electrically susceptible liquid (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the electrically susceptible liquid (B) being immiscible and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), at least one of the liquids (A; B) being at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The optical device further comprises heating means (2, 12, 20) that preferably are responsive to a temperature sensor (30) for heating the insulating liquid (A) and the electrically susceptible liquid (B). Consequently, an optical device is obtained in which the influence of the temperature dependence of the physical properties of the insulating liquid (A) and the electrically susceptible liquid (B) on the behavior of the optical device is reduced, thus yielding an optical device with improved optical characteristics at low temperatures.

Abstract: An optical waveguide comprises a body (13), the body including an entrance window (9) and an exit window (11) defining an optical path (13) through a cavity. The cavity contains a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B), with an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid defined by a meniscus. The meniscus lies longitudinally along the optical path. Means for adjusting the meniscus are provided, for example a voltage source and at least two electrodes. Electrowetting can be used for influencing the fluids.

Abstract: A switchable optical element having a first discrete state and a different, second discrete state. The element comprises a fluid system including a first fluid (44) and a different, second fluid (46), a wavefront modifier (26) having a face (28); and a fluid system switch for acting on the fluid system to switch between the first and second discrete states of the element. When the element is in the first discrete state, the face (28) of the wavefront modifier (26) is substantially covered by the first fluid (44). When the element is in the second discrete state, the face of the wavefront modifier is substantially covered by the second fluid (46). The fluid system switch comprises a configuration of electrodes arranged to act on the fluid system by the application of electrowetting forces and a voltage control system arranged to control voltages applied to the configuration of electrodes to switch between the first and second discrete states of the element.

Abstract: The electrowetting cel (15) that is primarily to be used as a variable focus lens, comprises a liquid chamber (50) containing a first and a second immiscible fluid (51, 52), which are in contact across a meniscus (14) and of which the first fluid (51) is a polar and the second (52) is electrically conductive. The liquid chamber (50) is provided with an inner face (18), at which a fluid contact layer (10) is present, which has an inherent attraction to the first liquid. An electrode is separated from the liquid chamber (50) through this fluid contact layer (10). The fluid chamber (50) is constructed such that it has a small diameter at an operating point (101) at the inner face (18) than at a point of tangency (102), while a tangent (R1) to the operating point (101) encloses a smaller angle with the optical axis (OA) of the cell (15) than a tangent (R2) to the second point (102).

Abstract: An adjustable mirror includes first and second fluids in contact over a meniscus extending transverse an optical axis. The fluids are substantially immiscible and have different indices of refraction. A reflective surface extends transverse the optical axis. A meniscus adjuster is arranged to controllably alter at least one of the shape and the position of the meniscus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container having an inner wall, said container enclosing a first liquid (A) and an electrically susceptible second liquid (B), said liquids (A; B) being immiscible and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), said interface (14) having a contact angle with the inner wall; and an electrode arrangement (2; 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of a voltage; the optical device having an operational range in between a first value of the contact angle and a second value of the contact angle, the first value being in a range of 50-110° and the second value being in a range of 70°-130°, the second value being larger than the first value. It has been discovered that the response speed of the interface (14) to a change in position is a function of the contact angle (?), with a response speed reaching a maximum value around (?)=90° and at least 75% of this maximum value in the given interval.

Abstract: A light control element (100) is disclosed having a first chamber (110) encapsulating a first liquid crystal based light absorbing material (112; 114) being switchable from a first orientation in which said material (112; 114) predominantly absorbs light having a first polarization direction to a second orientation in which said material (112; 114) is substantially transparent and that further has a second chamber (120) encapsulating a second liquid crystal based light absorbing material (122; 124) being switchable from a first further orientation in which said material (122; 124) predominantly absorbs light having a polarization direction substantially perpendicular to the first polarization direction to a second further orientation in which said material (122; 124) is substantially transparent. A plurality of electrodes is present for switching the orientations of the first and second light absorbing materials. Consequently, a polarization independent light control element (100) is obtained.

Abstract: An achromatic electrowetting lens is provided. This is achieved by a particular choice of the parameters n, n2, V, and V2, wherein n is the refractive index and V is the Abbe number. By fulfilling the relations: Formula (I) an achromatization of the electrowetting lens is achieved.

Abstract: A controllable electrowetting lens system has a feedback control loop for controlling the electrode arrangement drive signals to implement an autofocus function. The feedback control loop comprising an image analysis focus detection system and a variable gain element. The gain is adjusted based on the lens condition, for example as sensed by a capacitance sensing arrangement. The autofocus control loop can be optimised to the lens characteristics (because the lens characteristics change over time) and/or to external conditions such as temperature.

Abstract: An optical element (200; 300) for providing a variable refractive surface. The element comprises a chamber (215) defined by at least one side wall (270), with an optical axis (90) extending through the chamber (215). The chamber (215) contains a first fluid (220) and a second fluid (230) in contact over a meniscus (225) extending transverse the optical axis (90). The perimeter of the meniscus (225) is constrained by said side wall (270). The fluids (220, 230) are substantially immiscible and have different indices of refraction. A first electrowetting electrode (242; 243) is arranged to act on at least a portion of the meniscus perimeter constrained by said side wall (270). A second electrowetting electrode (280) extends through the meniscus (225).

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device comprising an image sensor, an electrowetting lens that is arranged to focus an image on the image sensor, and a control unit. The control unit is operative to determine the distance to an object based on the state of the electrowetting lens and on focus information derived from an image signal supplied by the image sensor.

Abstract: A system for manipulation of a body of fluid, in particular a fluid droplet comprises several control electrodes to which an adjustable voltage is applied to control displacement of the droplet on the basis of the electrowetting effect. There is a counter electrode having a fixed voltage between the body of fluid and one of the control electrodes. Further, as the counter electrode and the control electrodes are located at the same side of the fluid droplet, the fluid droplet is freely accessible at its side remote from the counter electrode and the control electrodes. Hence, the fluid droplet can be employed as an object carrier and a pay-load can be placed on the droplet from the freely accessible side.