Simultaneous focusing of an optical system to multiple focal planes using liquid crystal polarization lenses
AssigneeMeadowlark Optics, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Hoy, Janelle Shane, Douglas J. McKnight
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Abstract
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for an optical system including pairs of LCPGs and polarization controllers (e.g., waveplates) that can be controlled to effect multiple simultaneous focal planes, or to simultaneously image multiple focal planes.
Claims47
An optical system with a controllable liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG) stack configured to produce or image two or more simultaneous focal planes, the optical system comprising:
- a first LCPG lens;
- a second LCPG lens;
- a first polarization controller configured to selectively adjust a polarization entering the first LCPG lens, and a second polarization controller configured to selectively adjust a polarization entering the second LCPG lens, thereby controlling a number and location of each of the two or more simultaneous focal planes.
A dynamic focusing system comprising:
- a light source;
- an imaging sensor;
- a first liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG) lens;
- a first polarization controller configured to control a polarization of polarized light entering the first LCPG lens;
- a second LCPG lens;
- a second polarization controller configured to control a polarization of polarized light entering the second LCPG lens;
- a waveplate controller electrically coupled to the first and second polarization controllers and configured to control a state of the first polarization controller and a state of the second polarization controller to control two or more simultaneous focal planes of the dynamic focusing system.
A method of dynamic focusing to produce or image two or more simultaneous focal planes, the method comprising:
- providing a light source or imaging device;
- providing a first liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG)-polarization controller optical stack comprising at least one LCPG and at least a first polarization controller;
- providing a second LCPG-polarization controller optical stack comprising at least a second polarization controller;
- directing polarized light through the first and second LCPG-polarization controller optical stacks;
- and
- selecting a state of the first and second polarization controllers to select a number and location of the two or more simultaneous focal planes.
An optical system comprising:
- a light source or imaging device;
- a first liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG)-polarization controller optical stack comprising at least one LCPG and at least a first polarization controller, and wherein polarized light is directed through the first LCPG-polarization controller optical stack;
- a second LCPG-polarization controller optical stack comprising at least one LCPG and at least a second polarization controller, and wherein polarized light is directed through the second LCPG-polarization controller optical stack;
- and
- a waveplate controller comprising a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, encoded with processor readable instructions, wherein the waveplate controller is configured for dynamic focusing to produce or image two or more simultaneous focal planes, wherein the dynamic focusing is based at least in part on,
- instructing the first and second polarization controllers to switch between states thereby changing a number and/or location of the two or more simultaneous focal planes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.