The team of scientists from the University of California at San Diego (USA) published in the journal Optics Letters description of the optical device, which is able to operate as a normal camera range with ultra auto-focusing and like a microscope with a resolution of 3 micron.
The unique features of the new device are explained by using a combination of liquid lens with a variable focal length and three conventional glass lenses for the correction of optical aberrations. This is the first device of such type.
Apart the lens system, the device used light CMOS matrix. Total device does not exceed 1 cubic cm. With its help, it was gotten a digital photograph of the object at a distance of 15 meters and then another object - at a distance of 1 cm. This is the largest range of focus that has ever been received with a single camera. Range optical lens system forces reached 200 diopters, that in 15 times higher than the optical system of human eye.
The idea of creating such a device the scientists borrowed from nature, examining the various systems of view of the animals. The wide field of view of wildlife is achieved in many cases by the harmonization of the lens, changing focal length, and the retina, as capable to change its curvature.
CMOS matrix, unfortunately, can not be yet flexible, and had to use a flat option, but the standard glass lenses can correct the image.
Researchers have learned how to change the curvature of the surface of liquid lenses using simple mechanical means, which use special membranes. Material lenses and the way it is received also developed in the course of the study.
Scientists expect to use their device developed in the various medical devices used in low-invasive operations (such as laparoscopy) or diagnosis. There are prospects for the use of the device in various devices for the mass of consumers.
In general, according to the researchers, using liquid lenses can change the idea of what may be an optical device and method to create the image.
Apr 18
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