Magnetically tunable optofluidic lens

Abstract

One or more first magnets and one or more second magnets are separated along an optical axis. A diamagnetic lens droplet is suspended in the paramagnetic medium. Strength, direction, and/or position of the one or more first and second magnets are adjusted to change the shape of the lens droplet or the position of the lens droplet along the axis. The one or more first magnets and one or more second magnets may include pairs of magnets offset from one another along axes that are perpendicular to one another and the optical axis. Pairs of intermediate magnets may be positioned between the one or more first magnets and one or more second magnets and adjust the offset of the lens droplet relative to the optical axis. An interface between layers of diamagnetic and paramagnetic fluids may be shaped by concentric ring magnets in order to implement a tunable lens.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.