Open AccessOptical characterization of adaptive fluidic silicone-membrane lenses
Author(s) -
Florian Schneider,
Jan Draheim,
Robert Kamberger,
Philipp Waibel,
Ulrike Wallrabe
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.011813
Subject(s) - optics , materials science , lens (geology) , membrane , numerical aperture , aperture (computer memory) , wavelength , interferometry , optoelectronics , physics , chemistry , biochemistry , acoustics
We present an extended optical characterization of an adaptive microfluidic silicone-membrane lens at a wavelength of 633 nm, respectively 660 nm. Two different membrane variations; one with a homogeneous membrane thickness, and one with a shaped cross section, have been realized. This paper includes the theoretical predictions of the optical performance via FEM simulation and ray tracing, and a subsequent orientation dependent experimental analysis of the lens quality which is measured with an MTF setup and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The influence of the fabrication process on the optical performance is also characterized by the membrane deformation in the non-deflected state. The lens with the homogeneous membrane of 5 mm in diameter and an aperture of 2.5 mm indicates an almost orientation independent image quality of 117 linepairs/mm at a contrast of 50%. The shaped membrane lenses show a minimum wave front error of WFE(RMS) = 24 nm, and the lenses with a planar membrane of WFE(RMS) = 31 nm at an aperture of 2.125 mm.