Multi-chamber switchable optical element

A switchable optical element, comprising:

• an optical substrate on a first side forming a guiding surface;
• an elastic membrane disposed adjacent to the first side of the optical substrate and configured to be movable in contact with the guiding surface;
• wherein the elastic membrane and the optical substrate form an active chamber there between, the active chamber having a variable depth between the elastic membrane and the optical substrate;
• a substrate cover disposed adjacent to a second side of the optical substrate, the second side being opposite the first side;
• wherein the substrate cover and the optical substrate form an internal chamber there between;
• wherein in a first state a first optical fluid fills the active chamber;
• wherein in a second state the first optical fluid is removed from the active chamber and flows to the internal chamber through a plurality of channels disposed through the optical substrate fluidically connecting the active and internal chambers, wherein the plurality of channels are located respectively at their deepest portion of their variable depth of the guiding surface;
• wherein in the second state the elastic membrane is configured to conform to the guiding surface shape;
• and
• a membrane cover disposed adjacent to the elastic membrane on an opposite side in comparison to the active chamber, wherein the membrane cover and the elastic membrane form an external chamber there between, wherein a second optical fluid fills the external chamber.

A switchable optical element, comprising:

• an optical substrate on a first side having a plurality of diffractive grooves forming a diffractive guiding surface;
• an elastic membrane disposed adjacent to the first side of the optical substrate and configured to be movable in contact with the diffractive guiding surface;
• wherein the elastic membrane and the optical substrate form an active chamber there between, the active chamber defining a plurality of sections where each section is formed over each diffractive groove of the plurality groove and having a variable depth between the elastic membrane and the optical substrate;
• a substrate cover disposed adjacent to a second side of the optical substrate, the second side being opposite the first side;
• wherein the substrate cover and the optical substrate form an internal chamber there between;
• wherein in a first state a first optical fluid fills each plurality of sections of the active chamber;
• wherein in a second state the first optical fluid is removed from each plurality of sections of the active chamber and flows to the internal chamber through a plurality of channels disposed through the optical substrate fluidically connecting the active and internal chambers, wherein the plurality of channels are located respectively at their deepest portion of their variable depth for each diffractive groove;
• wherein in the second state the elastic membrane is configured to conform to the plurality of diffractive grooves of the diffractive guiding surface with the periodicity of the diffractive guiding surface;
• a membrane cover disposed adjacent to the elastic membrane on an opposite side in comparison to the active chamber, wherein the membrane cover and the elastic membrane form an external chamber there between, wherein a second optical fluid fills the external chamber;
• a gas-filled accumulator pocket formed either in:
• the substrate cover sealed by a portion of the elastic membrane, wherein a portion of the second optical fluid is disposed adjacent the accumulator pocket on an opposite side of the portion of the elastic membrane;
• or
• the membrane cover sealed by a portion of the elastic membrane, wherein a portion of the first optical fluid is disposed adjacent the accumulator pocket on an opposite side of the portion of the elastic membrane;
• and
• an actuator connector in fluidic communication with the first optical fluid, wherein the actuator connector is configured to connect to a means for transporting the first optical fluid in or out of the active chamber to select between the first and second states.