Optical element, optical element array, and method of manufacturing optical element
AssigneeToyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorKo Koga
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are an optical element, an optical element array, and a method of manufacturing an optical element capable of forming a desired interface shape. In a microlens and a microlens array, at least one of a transparent liquid forming a liquid phase and microbubbles forming a gas phase is subjected to temperature adjustment by a curvature control part. The transparent liquid and the microbubbles subjected to temperature adjustment thermally expands or contracts, such that the shape of a curved interface formed between the transparent liquid and the microbubbles is changed.
Claims9
1-9. (canceled)
An optical element comprising:
- a container which transmits light;
- a first transparent material which is accommodated in the container to form a liquid phase;
- a second transparent material which is accommodated in the container and generated by boiling of the first transparent material to form a gas phase, a curved interface inflated toward the first transparent material being formed between the first transparent material and the second transparent material;
- and
- interface shape controller that carries out temperature adjustment on at least one of the first transparent material and the second transparent material to control the shape of the interface.
A method of manufacturing an optical element in which a conductive liquid is filled in a container transmitting light, the method comprising:
- an electrode forming step of using a container having one opened surface, forming a first electrode at a position of the one surface, and forming a second electrode at a position of another surface facing the one surface;
- a liquid inflow step of charging a liquid, applying a voltage having reverse charge to the liquid to the first electrode, and allowing the liquid to flow into the container from the one surface;
- and
- a liquid filling step of applying a voltage having the same charge as the liquid to the first electrode, applying a voltage having reverse charge to the liquid to the second electrode, and filling the liquid in the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.