Gradient-index liquid crystal lenses with tunable focal length

Yi-Hsin Lin^1*, Wei-Cheng Cheng¹, Hao-Hsin Huang¹, Tung-Wei Huang¹

¹Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan

* Presenter:Yi-Hsin Lin, email:yilin@nycu.edu.tw

The Gradient-Index (GRIN) liquid crystal (LC) lenses with tunable focal length developed in my group are presented. The basic optics as well as the challenges limited by the essentials in physical and chemical properties of nematic LC which benefits the ophthalmic application are introduced and discussed. The main features of GRIN LC lens we developed are continuously tunable wavefronts with adjustable aberration or Zernike coefficients, adjustable focal lengths, and the ability to adjust the optical axis of the lenses. The LC lenses are able to function as spherical lenses, aspherical lenses, freeform optical elements, and wavefront correctors for the applications of adaptive optics. Two applications in augmented reality using GRIN LC lenses for purpose of vision corrections and solving vergence-accommodation conflict and image registrations are also demonstrated. The recent progress in my group is also presented and the future perspectives are also proposed for discussions.

Keywords: Dynamic lenses, Liquid crystals, Tunable lenses, GRIN lenses, Wavefront modulations