Lens With Transformable-Type and Tunable-Focal-Length Characteristics

A versatile lens with transformable-type and tunable-focal-length characteristics has been presented. The conventional punching technology is adopted to fabricate the lens structure due to its inherently high direction-holding capability. As a result, the alignment between two ends of the lens can be easily achieved without requiring complicated process. At the same time, soft lithography is used to realize structure similar to liquid-filled lens except the working medium being air rather than liquid acting as a tuning mechanism. These two parts are eventually combined together with bonding under oxygen plasma activation. With this design, large flexibility in performance tuning will be added to the lens, which has been experimentally demonstrated in beam shaping and imaging applications.