Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure designed to house electronics and a ventilation plug fastened to an exterior of the enclosure, the ventilation plug being adapted for field testing hermeticity.

Abstract: The invention discloses a lens, which comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a pattern outline is printed on the outer surface; and an argon gas layer, a high refractive index layer, a lower refractive index layer and a waterproof layer are evaporated at an area, outside the pattern outline, of the outer surface from inside to outside in turn. By adoption of clear patterns formed on the outer surface by the manufacturing processes and a four-layer vacuum electroplating film evaporated at an area, outside the pattern outline, of the outer surface, the coating does not block the sight and the lens is more beautiful and has the functions of radiation resistance and ultraviolet resistance. The invention also discloses a pattern printing and vacuum electroplating method which has simple and efficient processes and realizes the functions of the coated lens.

Abstract: A deformable optical lens with a lens membrane having an optically active portion that is configured to be shaped over an air-membrane interface according to a spherical cap and Zernike polynomials is provided. The spherical cap and the Zernike polynomials comprise a Zernike[4,0], (Noll[11]) polynomial and are sufficient to model the deformable optical lens to within approximately 2 micrometers.

Abstract: A method for compensating an aberration of a variable focus liquid lens is configured to compensate the aberration associated with a first lens surface and a second lens surface of the liquid lens. The first lens surface is of a first radius of curvature. The second lens surface is of a second radius of curvature.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical element, an optical element array, and a method of manufacturing an optical element capable of forming a desired interface shape. In a microlens and a microlens array, at least one of a transparent liquid forming a liquid phase and microbubbles forming a gas phase is subjected to temperature adjustment by a curvature control part. The transparent liquid and the microbubbles subjected to temperature adjustment thermally expands or contracts, such that the shape of a curved interface formed between the transparent liquid and the microbubbles is changed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and using handheld data readers comprising one or more fluid lenses. One or more fluid lenses are provided to allow a handheld data reader to perform such operations as reading indicia, including such additional operations as zooming, reorienting a viewing direction, focusing, adjusting an optical axis, and correcting for the effects of motion such as hand jitter. The fluid lens or lenses can be operated for example by applying electrical signals to fluid lenses comprising a plurality of fluids including at least one that is conductive and at least one that is non-conductive.

Abstract: A material preferably in crystal form having a low atomic number such as beryllium (Z=4) provides for the focusing of x-rays in a continuously variable manner. The material is provided with plural spaced curvilinear, optically matched slots and/or recesses through which an x-ray beam is directed. The focal length of the material may be decreased or increased by increasing or decreasing, respectively, the number of slots (or recesses) through which the x-ray beam is directed, while fine tuning of the focal length is accomplished by rotation of the material so as to change the path length of the x-ray beam through the aligned cylindrical slots. X-ray analysis of a fixed point in a solid material may be performed by scanning the energy of the x-ray beam while rotating the material to maintain the beam's focal point at a fixed point in the specimen undergoing analysis.

Abstract: The invention discloses a lens, which comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a pattern outline is printed on the outer surface; and an argon gas layer, a high refractive index layer, a lower refractive index layer and a waterproof layer are evaporated at an area, outside the pattern outline, of the outer surface from inside to outside in turn. By adoption of clear patterns formed on the outer surface by the manufacturing processes and a four-layer vacuum electroplating film evaporated at an area, outside the pattern outline, of the outer surface, the coating does not block the sight and the lens is more beautiful and has the functions of radiation resistance and ultraviolet resistance. The invention also discloses a pattern printing and vacuum electroplating method which has simple and efficient processes and realizes the functions of the coated lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a fluid mixture for electrowetting in a device that is suitable for this. According to the invention, the fluid mixture consists of at least two components, namely an electrically inducible liquid and an electrically inert fluid. These two components form a bi- or multiphasic mixture. The electrically inducible liquid responds to a change of an electric field that surrounds it or completely or partly permeates it, in such way that it changes its surface tension so that its form is changed too, particularly if only parts of its surface are permeated by the electric field, or if the field strength is distributed not homogenously. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the electrically inducible liquid consists of propylene carbonate.

Abstract: A liquid lens including at least two phase liquids covered with a protection member having transparent portions allowing transmission of light includes an elastic film configured to separate the at least two phase liquids within the protection member, a connection portion configured to connect the protection member to the elastic film, and a movement unit configured to move the connection portion within the protection member.

Abstract: Provided are a varifocal lens having a focal length that may be electrically controlled, and an imaging apparatus including focal length. Varifocal lens includes fluid sealed between two transparent flexible layers. An upper flexible layer is supported by support plate having opening having a lens shape, and vacuum is maintained on upper flexible layer. Portion of lower flexible layer, which faces opening having a lens shape, is fixed by a fixation plate, and a chamber having a predetermined space is formed below the lower flexible layer so as to surround a portion corresponding to the opening having the lens shape. Charged particles are positioned in the chamber. In the varifocal lens, when the charged particles are moved by an electrical field generated in the chamber to compress the lower flexible layer, a lens region of the upper flexible layer protrudes in an upper direction so as to obtain refractive power.

Abstract: An adjustable fluid type lens system is provided that allows e.g. ultrasound imaging through the lens during adjustment of the lens. The lens includes a container enclosing two immiscible fluids, e.g. water and oil, being in contact with each other at an interface. Incoming waves are then refracted at this interface. The shape of the interface, and thereby the refraction property, is adjustable by adjusting a voltage applied to the lens. The two fluids are selected such that they together exhibit a mechanical damping which is critical or near critical. A control circuit generates the electric voltage for adjusting the refraction from one value to another, the control circuit being arranged to change the electric voltage such that a rate of voltage change is limited to avoid oscillation of the interface, thereby adjusting refraction of incoming waves at the interface in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for decoding an encoded symbol character of a symbology includes a laser source operable to emit a beam along an axis and illuminate a target. The target includes an encoded symbol character. A focusing apparatus in optical communication with the laser source focuses the beam on the target at an object distance, and a detector receives light of varying intensities scattered from the encoded symbol character and converts the light into a first signal. A digitizer converts the first signal to a digital bit stream. The scanning apparatus further includes pre-stored information correlating a non-standard symbol pattern to a valid symbol character according to a standard definition of the symbology. The non-standard symbol pattern comprises a first number of elements that deviates from a second number of elements associated with the valid symbol character. A decoder receives the digital bit stream and utilizes the pre-stored information for decoding the signal.

Abstract: An optical element includes a first liquid; a second liquid that is immiscible with the first liquid and that has polarity or electrical conductivity; a first substrate portion; a second substrate portion; a sidewall portion; a second electrode disposed on one of the second substrate portion and the sidewall portion; and an accommodating portion constituted by the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the sidewall portion and sealing the first liquid and the second liquid therein. The optical element further includes a first film disposed on the first substrate portion side of the accommodating portion and having high affinity with the first liquid, a second film disposed on the second substrate portion side of the accommodating portion and having high affinity with the second liquid, and a third film disposed at the center of the second film and having high affinity with the first liquid.

Abstract: A lens element, for use in a projection system, includes a concave side. The lens element further includes a membrane and a nozzle, the membrane at least covering the concave side of the lens element. The nozzle is arranged for supplying and/or removing a liquid and/or a gas in between the concave side and the membrane.

Abstract: A projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a manipulator for reducing rotationally asymmetric image errors. The manipulator in turn contains a lens, an optical element and an interspace formed between the lens and the optical element, which can be filled with a liquid. At least one actuator acting exclusively on the lens is furthermore provided, which can generate a rotationally asymmetric deformation of the lens.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a liquid responsive to an electric field (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the liquid responsive to an electric field (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 an electrode arrangement (2; 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of a voltage; and means (100) for preventing the interface from an exposure to an external electric field. Consequently, the build-up of electrostatic charge on a surface of the optical device is avoided, which prevents the unwanted distortion of the interface (14) caused by the interaction of the liquid responsive to an electric field (B) and the electrostatic charge.

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: Fluid lens system, e.g. for medical imaging or medical treatment, with a container enclosing a fluid arranged to refract incoming waves. A pressure release mechanism is in contact with the fluid so as to compensate changes in its volume due to thermal variations, e.g. during high temperature medical cleaning. This pressure release mechanism is positioned within a pathway of incoming waves. In preferred embodiments a fluid container connected via a tube to the fluid as a reservoir, is arranged within or outside the container, e.g. beyond an image sensor. Alternatively, an easily compressible body, e.g. a small closed metal bellows enclosing a gas, is positioned inside the fluid to absorb volume changes by compression. In both embodiments, the pressure release elements are preferably positioned in a peripheral part of the pathway of incoming waves to not affect performance of the lens.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a fluid meniscus with variable configurations by means of electrowetting. A fluid chamber (5) holds two different fluids (A, B) separated by a meniscus (14) of which the edge, having different sides, is constrained by the fluid chamber. A first electrowetting electrode (2a) is arranged to act on a first side of the meniscus edge and a second electrowetting electrode (2a?) is arranged to act separately on a second side of the meniscus edge. Selected meniscus configurations can be formed by providing selected voltages to the first and second electrowetting electrodes respectively.

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 element includes a first liquid; a second liquid that is immiscible with the first liquid and that has polarity or electrical conductivity; a first substrate portion; a second substrate portion; a sidewall portion; a second electrode disposed on one of the second substrate portion and the sidewall portion; and an accommodating portion constituted by the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the sidewall portion and sealing the first liquid and the second liquid therein. The optical element further includes a first film disposed on the first substrate portion side of the accommodating portion and having high affinity with the first liquid, a second film disposed on the second substrate portion side of the accommodating portion and having high affinity with the second liquid, and a third film disposed at the center of the second film and having high affinity with the first liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser projection system (1) having means for reducing the coherence of a generated laser beam (3) in order to reduce the occurrence of annoying speckle artifacts in images produced by the system. Coherence is reduced by letting the laser beam (3) pass through a transparent cell (6) comprising first (A) and second (B) immiscible fluids having different refractive indices. The fluids are displaced in the cell, preferably using an electrowetting technique. The cell (6) may thus be realized as an electrowetting lens, which is driven with a pseudo random driving signal.

Abstract: A liquid lens includes a segmented electrode that allows the simultaneous application of different potentials across the lens's meniscus to obtain a predetermined aberration correction condition and to adjust focal length as necessary to conform to the topography of the object being scanned. The lens also includes a gas plenum interfacing with one of the liquids of the lens to allow for volume changes in the lens cell due to temperature variations. This combination of features produces a liquid-lens cell capable of maintaining substantially constant transverse magnification and diffraction-limited image quality over a useful range of focal length. As such, the lens is particularly suitable for incorporation in an array of micro-objectives used in a scanning microscope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrowetting-based variable-focus lens comprising an enclosure with at least two components, an arrangement of first and second immiscible liquids (5, 6) contained in said enclosure, wherein the liquids have different refractive indices and are in contact over a moveable refractive optical interface, a first electrode associated with one of said liquids, the electrode comprising a film (21, 22; 23, 24) of conducting material extending from a region internal to the enclosure to a region external to the enclosure, wherein the conducting material forms a bonding element between said components of the enclosure.

Abstract: A moisture sensitive optically nonlinear crystal is enclosed in a hermetically sealed elongated vacuum cell. The vacuum cell has an input window at one end and an output window at an opposite end providing optical access to the crystal by a laser beam. The windows are attached to the cell by cold-formed, indium-metal ram-seals. In an example of the cell in which the crystal is arranged to generate UV radiation from the laser beam, the output window is located at a sufficient distance from the crystal that the flux of UV radiation incident on the output window is below the damage threshold of the window for the UV radiation.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens includes a deformable lens body and at least one lens deforming device arranged around the lens body configured for radially deforming the lens body so as to adjust an effective focal length associated with the lens body. A lens module with the variable focal length lens is provided in the present invention. The lens module can auto focus and zoom without requiring an actuator.

Abstract: A fluidic adaptive lens, a multi-lens apparatus employing the fluidic adaptive lens, and a method of fabricating a fluidic adaptive lens are disclosed. The lens includes a first partition that is flexible and optically transparent, and a second partition that is coupled to the first partition, where at least a portion of the second partition is optically transparent, and where a first cavity is formed in between the first partition and the second partition. The lens further includes a first fluidic medium positioned within the cavity, the fluidic medium also being optically transparent; and a first device capable of controlling a parameter of the fluidic medium, where when the parameter of the fluidic medium changes, the first partition flexes and an optical property of the lens is varied.

Abstract: A lens having a supercritical fluid is disclosed. The lens includes a package storing a supercritical fluid and a density changing element for changing the density of the fluid.

Abstract: A variable focus lens comprises a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a conducting liquid (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the conducting liquid (B) being immiscible, having different refractive indices and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), the liquids (A, B) being at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The variable focus lens further comprises an electrode arrangement (2, 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of an applied voltage. The container further comprises a transparent end portion (4) in the light path, a part (4) the transparent end portion (4) defining the shape of a part of the interface (14) at a predefined value of the voltage. Consequently, a variable focus lens with a reduced building height (H) is achieved that suffers less from the gradual formation of is small droplets of the conducting liquid (B) on the inner surface of the end portion (4).

Abstract: A retractable lens assembly with a variable-volume lens is provided. The retractable lens assembly includes an optical lens, a variable-volume lens, a fluid pump, a communication tube, and a storage tank. The variable-volume lens includes a lens film, an accommodation space wrapped by the lens film, and a transparent fluid within the accommodation space. Therefore, when the transparent fluid is pumped from the accommodation space to the storage tank by the fluid pump, the variable-volume lens is folded because of atmospheric pressure, such that the overall thickness and volume are reduced. When the variable-volume lens is folded, the thickness of the retractable lens assembly is as small as possible. When the variable-volume lens is stretched out because of being filled with the transparent fluid, the variable-volume lens and the optical lens are of a coaxial configuration, forming a photographic optical system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a liquid responsive to an electric field (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the liquid responsive to an electric field (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 an electrode arrangement (2; 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of a voltage; and means (100) for preventing the interface from an exposure to an external electric field. Consequently, the build-up of electrostatic charge on a surface of the optical device is avoided, which prevents the unwanted distortion of the interface (14) caused by the interaction of the liquid responsive to an electric field (B) and the electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A zoom optical system is provided which has a lens system which comprises a first lens which is arranged to provide a continuously variable focus for a beam of radiation. The lens system further comprises a switchable optical element including a first fluid, a second fluid and a wavefront modifier having a part through which said radiation beam is arranged to pass. In a first mode the switchable optical element has a first fluid configuration with said part being substantially covered by the first fluid, and in a second mode the switchable optical element has a second, different, fluid configuration with said part being substantially covered by the second fluid.

Abstract: A catadioptric objective includes a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis to image a pattern from an object field in an object surface of the objective to an image field in an image surface region of the objective at an image-side numerical aperture NA with electromagnetic radiation from a wavelength band around a central wavelength ?. The optical elements include a concave mirror and a plurality of lenses. The projection objective forms an image of the pattern in a respective Petzval surface for each wavelength ? of a wavelength band, the Petzval surfaces deviating from each other for different wavelengths. In embodiments, a longitudinal departure p of the Petzval surface at a given wavelength from a planar reference surface at an edge field point of the image field (at maximum image height y?), measured parallel to the optical axis in the image surface region, varies with the wavelength ? according to dp/d?<(0.2?/NA2)/nm.

Abstract: An optical unit includes a closed hollow body defining an enclosed chamber therein, and having an optical part that confines a portion of the chamber and that is deformable so as to be changeable in thickness and shape in response to changes in an inner pressure in the chamber. An image capturing device includes: a light-proof image-capturing housing that has a lens-mounting port; an image processing unit mounted in the image-capturing housing; and a focus-adjustable lens unit coupled to the lens-mounting port and including a closed hollow body defining an enclosed chamber therein, and having an optical part that confines a portion of the chamber, that is aligned with the lens-mounting port along an optical path, and that is deformable so as to be changeable in thickness and shape in response to changes in an inner pressure in the chamber. A reflective device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Fluidic adaptive lens devices, and systems employing such lens devices, along with methods of fabricating and operating such lens devices, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens material is optimally selected to provide one or more desired characteristics for a variety of applications related to adaptive lens devices. In another embodiment, a fluidic medium is optimally chosen to provide one or more desired characteristics for a variety of applications related to adaptive lens devices.

Abstract: A refractive optical system may be a collimator, focusing optical system, reducer, or expander and includes an entrance optical element, an exit optical element, and a volume disposed between the entrance and exit optical elements. The volume is configured to have an index of refraction that is insensitive to changes in atmospheric conditions of the ambient environment. A surface of curvature of an input surface of the entrance optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an input light beam and an output surface of the exit optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an exit light beam. Accordingly, the wavefront curvature of the exit light beam is insensitive to the ambient environment permitting the production and operation environments to change without a change to the performance of the optical system.

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 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: 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 method and system are used to control a characteristic of a beam. The system comprises an illumination system, at least one optical element, a fluid source, and a pressure and/or fluid concentration controller. The illumination system produces a beam of radiation. The at least one optical element has at least one fluid path therethrough through which the beam passes and is capable of changing a characteristic of one or more portions of the beam. The fluid source supplies fluid to the at least one fluid path. The pressure and/or fluid concentration controller controls pressure and/or fluid concentration of the fluid to change the characteristic of the beam, which is positioned between the fluid source and the optical element.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to ultraviolet light via a pattern of a reticle. The apparatus includes an optical element disposed on a path of the ultraviolet light extending from a light source to the substrate, a holder configured to hold the optical element, and a container configured to accommodate the optical element therein. The container has a partition wall with an opening through which the holder extends. The partition wall and the holder have a gap therebetween inside the opening. The holder is configured to move in a range of the opening so as to adjust a position of the optical element. The partition wall and the holder is configured so that a portion of the gap can be filled with a detachable filling cover. The apparatus further includes an outer cover detachably mounted on the container to cover the partition wall gas-tightly, and a supplier configured to supply inert gas into the container.

Abstract: A variable focus lens is constructed by making small changes in the equatorial diameter of an elastically deformable lens. The lens may be deformed by radial tension exerted in a plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis. The radial tension may be exerted by radially acting mechanical apparatus or by means of rings embedded or attached at the equator of the lens, whose diameter can be altered by heating, or by imposition of electrical or magnetic fields.

Abstract: A projection lens (3), in particular for microlithography, is provided with an object plane (7), with an image plane (9), with a lens arrangement (4) and with at least one gas chamber filled with gas or through which gas flows. The gas chamber is constructed as an approximately plane-parallel manipulation chamber (13). The refractive index can be varied in the manipulation chamber (13) by pressure changes and/or changes in gas composition.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprising a first group of lenses (1) having negative focal length, a second group of lenses (2) having positive focal length, and a third group of lenses (3 having the positive focal length in order from an object side, in which the second group of lenses (2) moves monotonically from an image side to the object side and the first group of lenses 1 moves so as to correct shift in a position of an image surface, which is attended with a change in magnification, when the magnification is changed from an end of short focus to the end of long focus. The zoom lens is characterized in that the first group of lenses 1 has at least two lenses (L1) and (L2) and an air lens formed between the two lenses, both sides of the air lens are the aspheric surface, and the first group of lenses satisfies the following conditional expressions of no>1.50 and ni>1.

Abstract: Novel optical elements are provided which are capable of post fabrication modifications. Specifically, the invention includes lenses, such as intraocular lens, which can undergo changes in storage modulus after fabrication.

Abstract: A light processing cell and method for lightwave applications is disclosed. The cell comprises at least one gas medium; an enclosure for containment of the gas medium, the enclosure allowing light transmission through the gas medium; and polar molecules dispersed within the gas medium and comprising electric dipoles that align to the direction of an electric field applied to the cell. The polar molecules contribute to the local electric field and effective dielectric constant and contribute to establish a relatively high local electric field by which to focus light transmitted through the cell.

Abstract: In the lens embodiment, the invention described herein incorporates a first fluid with a first refractive index in a first series of concentric zones and a second fluid with a second refractive index in a second series of concentric zones. The two zones being adjacent to one another alternating between a concentric circle of the first then a concentric circle of the second then the first and etc. Wherein each circular zone in the series of first and second fluid zones are separated by a transparent barrier with elasticity. Additionally, fluid can be added or subtracted to each concentric circle as desired through ports in their otherwise sealed chambers. The structure and process described produces a refractive and/or diffractive optical component which is predictably and reliably variable as to its focal length and transmittance direction.

Abstract: A lens array (7) has a plurality of frusto-spherical convex lenses (14, 15), formed in an optical entry surface (8) and an optical exit surface (9), focusing light rays (18, 19) near the center between each lens pair (14a, 15a) in an area (20) where the laser energy is focused sufficiently to induce vaporization resulting in aerosol breakdown which will absorb 99% or more of the laser energy, and thereby protect high gains optical equipment or eyes from optical damage.