Thick optical element having a variable curvature
AssigneeQuantel Limited
InventorsGuy Michelet, Jean-Pierre Treton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The optical element comprises a first bimorph structure, at least one of the components of which is made from piezoelectric material and supply electrodes for the bimorph structure. The element further comprises at least one reinforcing piezoelectric bimorph structure provided with supply electrodes. The latter are respectively connected to the electrodes of the first bimorph structure. An element of the reinforcing bimorph structure is placed against a corresponding element of the first bimorph structure and fixed thereto by a layer of an elastic material. The latter has a tensile strength which is low relative to that of the elements constituting the bimorph structures of piezoelectric material.
Claims10
An optical element having a variable curvature and optical properties which vary as a function of that curvature, said element comprising a first bimorph structure which has at least one component member which is made from a piezoelectric material, first electrodes for applying a voltage to said bimorph structure to vary its curvature, at least one reinforcing piezoelectric bimorph structure, second electrodes for applying a voltage to the reinforcing bimorph structure and respectively connected to the first supply electrodes, the reinforcing bimorph structure having a component member adjacent a corresponding component member of the first bimorph structure, and a layer of elastic material which interconnects said adjacent component members and has a tensile strength which is low relative to the tensile strength of component members constituting the bimorph structures of piezoelectric material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.