Abstract: Optical apparatus for modifying a radiation beam, the apparatus including a variable focus lens (1) comprising a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B) wherein the fluids are immiscible and are separated from each other by a fluid meniscus (6; 106; 206; 306) which is configurable into a configuration which is arranged to modify a predetermined vergence of an input radiation beam (15; 32; 33) and a focus control system.

Abstract: An optical apparatus uses a variable-optical-characteristic optical element whereby focusing, zooming or the like can be effected without moving a lens or the like and the whole optical apparatus can be arranged in a lightweight structure. The user wears a power transmitting unit 303 by hanging it from his/her neck, for example. The power transmitting unit 303 may be put in a clothes pocket or the like. The power transmitting unit 303 may be placed somewhere around the user. In the power transmitting unit 303, a transmitting circuit 305 is driven by a power supply 304 to send an electromagnetic wave from a transmitting antenna 306 toward variable-focus eyeglasses 302. The variable-focus eyeglasses 302 have a receiving antenna 307 provided on eyeglass frames 308 to receive the electromagnetic wave sent from the power transmitting unit 303. The received electromagnetic wave is, for example, boosted in voltage and rectified to drive the variable-focus lenses.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices configured to convert a received light into an electronic signal; a plurality of collector lenses configured to collect a light and to supply the light to the photoelectric conversion devices, the collector lenses being arranged before each of the photoelectric conversion devices; and a fluid lens configured to refract a light and to supply the light to the collector lenses, the fluid lens being arranged before the collector lenses, wherein the fluid lens has a first and second fluids with refractive indices different from each other and an electrode that applies a voltage to the first and second fluids, and the fluid lens changes an interface topology between the fluids in accordance with a voltage to be applied to the electrode and varies a refractive index of a light supplied to each of the plurality of the collector lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (22) comprising a first layer of material (10), a second layer of material (20) and walls (14) defining tight cavities (16) between the first and second layers of material, at least partially filled with a fluid (18), blocks (50, 60) rigidly connected to the first layer of material (10), and defining a housing (500) filled at least partially (V) of the material of the second layer (20). According to the invention, the housings (500) of the blocks each form an adhesion point of a sealing material (20) of the cavities (16).

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: An apparatus comprising a deformable lens element can be provided wherein a deformable lens element can be deformed to change an optical property thereof by the impartation of a force to the deformable lens element.

Abstract: To provide an optical apparatus which controls an interface state to change a focal length by using an optical element having a container sealing first liquid that is conductive or polarized and second liquid that does not mutually mix with the first liquid with their interface in a predetermined form and electrodes provided in the container and of which optical characteristics change according to change of interface form due to application of voltage to the electrodes, and in particular an optical apparatus that controls a duty ratio of alternating current voltage applied to said electrodes for changing said interface form.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a liquid confinement structure extending along at least a part of a boundary of a space between a projection system and a substrate table. The liquid confinement structure is positioned adjacent a final surface of the projection system and includes a first inlet configured to supply a liquid, through which a patterned beam is to be projected, to the space, and a second inlet configured to supply gas and formed in a face of the structure. The face is arranged to oppose a surface of the substrate and the second inlet is located radially outward, with respect to an optical axis of the projection system, of the space and has a porous member to evenly distribute gas flow over an area of the second inlet.

Abstract: An optical element includes a sealed container having a first end wall facing a second end wall in a thickness direction, and a sidewall connecting the first and second end walls; a first polar or conductive liquid encapsulated in the container; a second liquid encapsulated in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to form an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid having substantially the same specific gravity and the first liquid having less light transmittance than the second liquid; and a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the first liquid, wherein when a voltage is applied to the first liquid, the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid deforms to form a light transmission path that passes through the first and second end walls and extends in the thickness direction of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to an objective designed as a microlithography projection objective for an operating wavelength. The objective has a greatest adjustable image-side numerical aperture NA, at least one first lens made from a solid transparent body, in particular glass or crystal, with a refractive index nL and at least one liquid lens (F) made from a transparent liquid, with a refractive index NF. At the operating wavelength the first lens has the greatest refractive index nL of all solid lenses of the objective, the refractive index nF of the at least one liquid lens (F) is bigger than the refractive index nL of the first lens and the value of the numerical aperture NA is bigger than 1.

Abstract: A device for distributing light may comprise a plurality of liquid optical lenses comprising at least one liquid. Each liquid optical lens may have a configuration that is based on a pressure associated with the at least one liquid and the pressure may be selectively modulatable so as to selectively alter the configuration of each lens and alter a distribution pattern of transmitted light relative to incident light. A method for distributing light may comprise transmitting incident light through a plurality of liquid optical lenses comprising at least one liquid. The method may further comprise selectively modulating a pressure associated with the at least one liquid in the plurality of liquid optical lenses so as to alter a configuration of each lens and a distribution pattern of the transmitted light.

Abstract: A liquid zoom lens mounted on a portable terminal is provided. In the liquid zoom lens, a cylindrical body has upper and lower openings to which one pair of lenses is coupled. An auto-focus lens part includes a first insulating liquid layer, a first electrolyte layer, and a first lens. The first insulating layer and the first electrolyte layer are disposed to form an interface at a lower portion of the body. The first lens is disposed on the first electrolyte layer and has a periphery closely attached to a lower portion of an inner periphery of the body. An optical zoom lens part includes a second insulating liquid layer, a second electrolyte layer, and a second lens. The second insulating liquid layer and the second electrolyte layer are disposed to form an interface on the first lens. The second lens is fixed to be movable within the second insulating liquid layer, such that a periphery is closely attached to the inner periphery of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus that comprises a substrate with a top surface and a liquid lens on the top surface and clear retaining fluid surrounding the lens. One of the retaining fluid and liquid lens comprises a nonpolar liquid, and the other of the retaining fluid and liquid lens comprises a polar liquid. The nonpolar liquid includes one or more cyclic saturated organic compounds.

Abstract: Formed by modules (1) with bi-convex (2) configurations in the central modules (1) of the lens, becoming plano-convex and finally concavo-convex in its end modules (1), with a smooth transition (3), all ridges or grooves being minimised, and with the vertical face joining the upper and lower facets of the modules (1) being flat and inclined towards the optical axis, eliminating spherical aberration by incorporating in the modules (1) refracting fluids with different refraction index and very small volume, in a construction with a minimal thickness and weight.

Abstract: An optical device comprises: a liquid container that contains water-based liquid and oil-based liquid that are different in refractive index from each other and immiscible with each other to have respective optical-transmission properties so that light can transmit in a predetermined optical-axis direction; a coat film that covers at least part of an inner surface of the liquid container and has a hydrophilic/hydrophobic property changing with temperature; and a temperature regulator that regulates temperature of the coat film.

Abstract: A variable focus liquid lens is formed using two substrates with at least two through holes in at least one of the substrates. One end of each through hole is covered with a distensible membrane, one on the exterior surface of the substrate and the other on the interior surface. The substrates are sealed about the periphery to form a chamber and the chamber is filled with a liquid material. When pressure is applied to the membrane the liquid in the chamber is redistributed to form the lens. The variable focus liquid-filled lens is formed by providing a first and second substrate, forming at least two through holes in at least one of the first and second substrate, sealing one end of each of the at least two holes with a flexible transparent membrane, and sandwiching a liquid in a chamber formed between the first and second substrate.

Abstract: An electrowetting lens which can move its optical axis using a multiple electrode structure includes: a substrate; a dielectric barrier wall formed on the substrate; polar and non-polar solutions fluidly contained inside the dielectric barrier wall; first and second lower electrodes inserted through lower portions of the dielectric barrier wall in contact with the polar solution, the first and second lower electrodes facing each other; and first and second multiple electrodes respectively disposed in mutually facing first and second legs defining the dielectric barrier wall, each of the first and second multiple electrodes being divided into a plurality of vertically arranged electrode cells.

Abstract: Probes, and systems and methods for optically scanning a conical volume in front of a probe, for use with an imaging modality, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). A probe includes an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis, with the proximal end of the optical fiber being proximate a light source, and the distal end having a first angled surface. A refractive lens element is positioned proximate the distal end of the optical fiber. The lens element and the fiber end are both configured to separately rotate about the axis so as to image a conical scan volume when light is provided by the source. Reflected light from a sample under investigation is collected by the fiber and analyzed by an imaging system. Such probes may be very compact, e.g., having a diameter 1 mm or less, and are advantageous for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a current transmitting structure for a liquid-lens module using an electrowetting phenomenon. The present invention is characterized in that it uses an FPC to apply electricity to the liquid-lens module.

Abstract: A variable focal length microlens system having a base section with a fluid chamber and a fluid pressurization mechanism. A flexible, substantially transparent polymer lens section is fixed above the fluid chamber and the lens section has a curvature providing an initial focal point when in an unstrained state. The fluid chamber is substantially sealed and the fluid pressurization mechanism includes a flexible wall in the base section. The flexible wall may be displaced by magnetic activation, PZT activation of another activating mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective electrowetting device (200) comprising a fluid chamber that contains two immiscible fluids (205, 206) that are separated by a meniscus (208); the fluid chamber further comprises electrodes(203, 204), and a wetting surface (207) that has different wetting properties in respect of the two immiscible fluids (205, 206); electrowetting forces, provided by the interaction of lyophobic and electrostatic forces, are utilized to control the meniscus (208) such that light (210, 212) impinging the meniscus is reflected by total reflection at the meniscus; the present inventions furthermore provides a system and an array of such reflective electrowetting devices.

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: 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: An autofocusing optical system of a camera module which can be installed in a subminiature camera module. In the optical system, a first lens group has an overall positive refractive power. A second lens group has an overall negative refractive power. The second lens group includes a liquid lens having a meniscus formed between non-miscible first and second liquids, the first liquid having conductivity and polarity, the meniscus having a curvature radius changing in response to a voltage applied to serve as a refractive surface, thereby autofocusing the optical system, a first cover lens for sealing the liquid lens at an object side and a second cover lens for sealing the liquid lens at an image side. A third lens group has an overall positive refractive power. Also, a fourth lens group has an overall negative refractive power.

Abstract: A fluid control system for immersion lithography that uses an optical member such as a lens, a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer with a surface disposed opposite to the optical member with a gap in between, includes a fluid-supplying device for providing an immersion fluid such as water to a specified exposure area in the gap, and a fluid control device that activates a force on the fluid so that the immersion fluid is retained in the exposure area and its vicinity at least while the immersion lithography operation is being carried out. A pressured gas may be caused to apply a hydrodynamic force on the fluid to keep it in its place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable focus lens. The variable focus lens comprises a fluid chamber having a protrusion formed along one opened end thereof. The fluid chamber is cylindrically shaped to house first and second non-miscible fluids therein, and the first and second fluids have different refractive indices. A transparent element hermetically is coupled with the opened end of the chamber with a predetermined gap from the protrusion of the chamber. A first electrode is disposed inside the chamber to act on the first fluid, and a second electrode is insulated from the first electrode. The variable focus lens can be easily fabricated to prevent bubble formation with the protrusion formed at the opened end of the chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a microscope having an immersion objective lens, a nozzle, and a liquid supplying mechanism. The immersion objective lens condenses light from a sample through liquid. The nozzle supplies the liquid to an upper surface of the immersion objective lens. The liquid supplying mechanism cooperates with one of a lens moving mechanism that moves the immersion objective lens and a sample moving mechanism that maintains and moves the sample, and moves the nozzle relative to the immersion objective lens to supply the liquid.

Abstract: An electrowetting module (20) comprises a fluid chamber (8) which contains a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B), which are separated by an interface (14), and means to (16,17) exert a force on at least one of the fluids to change the position and/or shape of the interface. By providing at least one of the fluids with a compound having at least one aromatic, non-fused, residue, the performance of the module can be enhanced. For example the optical power of an electrowetting lens (30) can be increased.

Abstract: An optical element includes an airtight container having opposing first and second end face walls in a thickness direction, and side walls connecting the first and second end face walls; a first liquid sealed in the container and having polarity or conductivity; a second liquid sealed in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to form an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid; and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the first liquid. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid have substantially the same specific gravity, and the first liquid has less light transmittance than the second liquid. In a state in which the voltage is applied to the first liquid, the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid deforms, and a transmitting path of light is formed that passes through the first and second end face walls and propagates in the thickness direction of the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of fluid lens configurations that enable beam steering and focus adjustment. For example, according to one aspect of the present invention, a fluid lens is configured such that an optical signal may propagate from an input side of the lens to an output side of the lens along an axis of optical propagation extending through first and second lens surfaces defined by the immiscible fluids of the lens. Respective tunable lens surfaces are formed along the interfaces between the immiscible fluids and an external signal is capable of changing the shape of those surfaces. Because the two lens components forming the lens surfaces are laterally offset, the focal length and beam steering of the lens can be tuned by varying the shape of the surfaces. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing package parts for optical or optoelectronic components. To this end a metal package element is bonded to a transparent package element by means of a glass solder ring, the glass solder being brought in contact with the metal package element and the transparent package element, and the metal package element being inductively heated by an alternating electromagnetic field generated by an induction coil, so that the glass solder is heated and fused in contact with the metal package element and a hermetic, preferably ring-shaped bond between the metal package element and the transparent package element being produced by fusing and subsequently solidifying the glass solder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer gel composition including: at least two polymer compounds which interact with each other to form a polymer complex; and a liquid. One of the polymer compounds forms a three-dimensional crosslinked structure, at least one other polymer compound is compatible with the liquid, and at least a portion of the compatible polymer compound is included in the three-dimensional crosslinked structure. Preferably, when the polymer complex is disassembled or decomposed by stimuli, the polymer compound forming the three-dimensional crosslinked structure changes its volume by absorbing or releasing the liquid. The three-dimensional crosslinked structure is preferably in a particle shape. An optical device using such a polymer gel composition is also provided.

Abstract: A variable focus lens for an eye comprising a transparent rear wall, a transparent front wall, a cavity formed between the transparent front wall and the transparent rear wall, first and second immiscible fluids of differing refractive index contained within said cavity, and electrodes to which a voltage is able to be applied to change the curvature of a fluid meniscus between the two fluids. At least the rear wall of the lens includes a biocompatible material, which material provides for biocompatibility of the lens with the eye.

Abstract: The invention provides a variable focus liquid lens using electrowetting, comprising a conductive first liquid and an insulating second liquid. At least one of the first liquid composed of electrolyte and the second liquid composed of insulating liquid contains a surfactant for reducing interfacial energy between the first and second liquids. An interfacial portion between the first and second liquids is gathered by surfactant to reduce driving voltage. The variable focus liquid lens according to the invention has about 50% lower driving voltage required for changing focus, ensuring stability of the two fluids.

Abstract: A beam-shaping element includes a cavity, a first fluid and a second fluid having different indices of refraction. An optical axis extends through the cavity. The cavity has at least one curved surface extending transverse the optical axis. At least one pump is arranged to pump the fluids between a first configuration in which the first fluid occupies the cavity, and a second configuration in which the second fluid occupies the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operations and fast responses, contributes to cost reductions due to simplified mechanical structure, and, albeit having a small outside diameter and small size, is capable of focusing and zooming. The optical system of the invention comprises a variable mirror and a moving optical element group. The optical element group has a zooming function, and the variable mirror has a focusing function. An optical apparatus of the invention comprises such an optical system as mentioned above.

Abstract: An imaging optical system is provided and has a focusing section including a cemented lens (first and second lenses), which includes first and second fluid materials having different refractive indices from each other; and whose cemented surface shape can be electrically controlled. A refractive index Nd1 of the first fluid material, a refractive index Nd2 of the second fluid material, a minimum value RA of a radius of curvature of the cemented surface of the cemented lens, a focal length fa of the whole cemented lens, and a focal length f of the whole lens system satisfy the conditions specified in the specification.

Abstract: A variable lens includes a chamber defined by at least one side wall and has an optical axis extending longitudinally through the chamber. The chamber contains a first fluid and a second fluid contact over a meniscus extending transverse the optical axis. The perimeter of the meniscus is constrained by the side walls. The fluids are substantially immiscible, and have different indices of refraction. At least one pump is arranged to controllably alter the position of the meniscus along the optical axis by altering the relative volume of each of the fluids contained within the chamber.

Abstract: A variable focus lens contains a conductive liquid material portion and an insulative liquid material portion in a cylindrical container and includes a first electrode which applies voltage to the conductive liquid material portion through a dielectric layer and a second electrode which directly contacts with the conductive liquid material portion, in which the dielectric layer is an anodized portion 22 made of a metal oxide formed by anodizing the first electrode.

Abstract: A liquid lens for adjusting a focal length by electro-wetting. A body houses a non-conductive fluid and a conductive fluid therein. A cover is capped on the body. A first adhesive bonds the body to the cover, the first adhesive curing rapidly. Also, a second adhesive bonds an outer periphery of the body to an outer periphery of the cover. The glass cover and the body are bonded across a large area by two types of adhesives with different compositions. This allows the lens manufactured to greatly withstand temperature and heat impact and stay durable in a high-temperature humid environment, thereby significantly elevating a quality of the final product.

Abstract: An immersion liquid for microscopy using water immersion objectives has a refractive index in the range from 1.25 to 1.4 and a kinematic viscosity of greater than 20 mm2/s at 20° C.

Abstract: A projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus has a correction device which can correct photoinduced imaging errors without optical elements having to be removed for this purpose. The correction device includes a first optical element and a second optical element, whose surface facing the first optical element is provided with a local surface deformation for improving the imaging properties of the projection objective. In a wall, which seals an intermediate space formed between the first optical element and the second optical element, an opening is provided through which the intermediate space can be filled with a fluid. By modifying the refractive index of the fluid adjacent to the surface, the effect of the surface deformation can be modified in a straightforward way.

Abstract: An optical unit capable of freely changing the refractive power and operating with a reduced deterioration in performance, an image taking apparatus having an image taking lens using the optical unit, and an optical finder using the optical unit. The optical unit includes a lens body having an electromagnetic field generator which changes the focal length of the lens body by moving, by an electromagnetic force, a dispersoid which is dispersed in a light-transmissive dispersion medium enclosed in a container, which is light-transmissive, and which has a refractive index different from the refractive index of the dispersion medium. The optical unit also includes a focal length changing section which changes the focal length of the lens body in three steps by controlling an electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field generator.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical system which includes a compound optical element including a lens element and a resin layer having different optical characteristics and having an aspherical interface therebetween. When Rref is a reference radius of curvature of the interface within an effective diameter, L is a distance from a diaphragm, ndg and ?dg are a refractive index and an Abbe number, respectively, of a material of the lens element at the d-line, and ndj and ?dj are a refractive index and an Abbe number, respectively, of a material of the resin layer at the d-line, the following expressions are satisfied: ?1.5<Rref/L<?0.3 one of 0.1<|ndg?ndj| and 5<|?dg??dj|.

Abstract: An optical system for ultraviolet light having wavelengths ??200 nm, which may be designed in particular as a catadioptric projection objective for microlithography, has a plurality of optical elements including optical elements made of synthetic quartz glass or a fluoride crystal material transparent to a wavelength ??200 nm. At least two of the optical elements are utilized for forming at least one liquid lens group including a first delimiting optical element, a second delimiting optical element, and a liquid lens, which is arranged in an interspace between the first delimiting optical element and the second delimiting optical element and contains a liquid transparent to ultraviolet light having wavelengths ??200 nm. This enables effective correction of chromatic aberrations even in the case of systems that are difficult to correct chromatically.

Abstract: A variable focus lens comprises 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.

Abstract: A variable lens having an optical axis is described. The lens comprises a plurality of annuli located around the optical axis. Each annulus has respective side walls defining a chamber containing a first fluid and a second fluid in contact over a meniscus. The fluids are substantially immiscible and have different refractive indices. At least one of the annuli comprises at least one electrode for altering the configuration of the meniscus.

Abstract: An electrowetting module (20) comprises a fluid chamber (8) which contains a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B), which are separated by an interface (14) , and means (16, 17) to exert a force on at least one of the fluids to change the position and/or shape of the interface. By providing the second fluid body with a dissolved or mixed compound, being insoluble in or immiscible with the first fluid body, and/or the first fluid body comprises a dissolved or mixed compound being insoluble in or immiscible with the second fluid body, in amounts sufficient for lowering the freezing point of the respective fluids to below ?20° C., the performance of the module can be improved so that the module can be used at low temperatures.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprising, from the object side to the image side, a front lens group (72), a controllable lens group, and a rear lens group (74), the controllable lens group comprising a voltage-controlled electrowetting device, which device contains a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B) having different refractive indices, with at least two first fluid-second fluid interfaces (40,42). The curvatures, and thus the lens power, of these interfaces can be changed independently by supplying a voltage (V1, V2) to electrodes (22,32) of the device, so that no mechanical movement of lens elements is needed.

Abstract: A variable focus lens comprising a chamber (12) filled with a first liquid (13), a drop of a second liquid (11) being disposed at rest on a region of a first surface of an insulating wall of the chamber, the first and second liquids being non miscible, of different optical indexes and of substantially same density. The first liquid is conductive and the second liquid is insulating. The lens further comprises means for applying a voltage between the conductor liquid and an electrode (16) placed on the second surface of said wall; and centering means for maintaining the centering of the edge of the drop while the voltage is applied and for controlling the shape thereof.