Liquid-crystal varifocal lens and focal length control method
AssigneeThe Doshisha
InventorsDaisuke Koyama, Yuki Shimizu
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Abstract
A liquid-crystal varifocal lens includes a liquid crystal lens, and an ultrasonic transducer for generating an ultrasonic wave with a frequency that matches a resonant frequency of the liquid crystal lens. The ultrasonic transducer generates flexural oscillation in the liquid crystal lens such that the flexural oscillation has a vibration intensity decreasing continuously from the center to the circumference of a liquid crystal layer, whereby the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is changed, with the result that the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is changed.
Claims13
A liquid-crystal varifocal lens comprising:
- a liquid crystal lens including a liquid crystal layer composed of liquid crystal molecules as well as a first substrate and a second substrate disposed with the liquid crystal layer positioned therebetween;
- and
- an ultrasonic transducer disposed on either the first substrate or the second substrate, or both, wherein,
- the ultrasonic transducer generates an ultrasonic wave with a frequency that matches a resonant frequency of the liquid crystal lens, in accordance with an input voltage, whereby,
- flexural oscillation is generated in the liquid crystal lens such that the flexural oscillation has a vibration intensity decreasing continuously from a center to a circumference of the liquid crystal layer, and
- a thickness of the liquid crystal layer is changed, thereby changing an orientation of the liquid crystal molecules.
A focal length control method for controlling a focal length of a liquid crystal lens with a liquid crystal layer provided between a first substrate and a second substrate, the method comprising applying an input voltage to an ultrasonic transducer disposed on the liquid crystal lens to generate an ultrasonic wave with a frequency that matches a resonant frequency of the liquid crystal lens, whereby,
- flexural oscillation is generated in the liquid crystal lens such that the flexural oscillation has a vibration intensity decreasing continuously from a center to a circumference of the liquid crystal layer, and
- a thickness of the liquid crystal layer is changed, thereby changing an orientation of the liquid crystal molecules.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.