Open AccessMicroelectromechanically-driven miniature adaptive Alvarez lens
Author(s) -
Guangya Zhou,
Yu Huang,
Fook Siong Chau
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.001226
Subject(s) - lens (geology) , optics , diamond turning , microelectromechanical systems , deformable mirror , actuator , materials science , autofocus , focal length , surface micromachining , zoom , silicon on insulator , adaptive optics , diamond , optoelectronics , engineering , silicon , electrical engineering , fabrication , physics , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , composite material , focus (optics)
A miniature solid-state varifocal lens based on Alvarez principle with lens elements having free-form surfaces is reported. The Alvarez lens elements are implemented with diamond-turning and replication molding processes. They are integrated with electrostatically-driven MEMS comb-drive actuators fabricated using SOI micromachining. Dynamic tuning of focal length more than 1.5 times (from 3 mm to 4.65 mm) is experimentally demonstrated with only small MEMS-driven lateral movements of 40 μm. Such varifocal lens may be useful in miniature cameras for autofocus and zooming due to its advantages including ease of packaging and fast tuning speed.