Nowadays, augmented reality (AR) systems and virtual reality (VR) systems still suffer from two main problems related to human eyes. One is vergence accommodation conflict (VAC) and the other is vision corrections. To resolve those problems, we could use dynamic lenses to provide extra lens powers for changing the image plane of AR or VR systems and correcting vision. In this research, we used polarization-switching-type liquid crystal lenses as a varifocal lens and combined three liquid crystal lenses as a liquid crystal lens set. With applying different voltage, liquid crystal lens set exhibits four operating modes. Four operating modes present three electrically tunable lens powers: 0, -0.79 diopters, -2 diopters, and -3.06 diopters by means of passively anisotropic polymeric layers as well as active manipulation of polarization of incident light (<50 ms). Furthermore, we demonstrated the practical application of the LC lens set in AR and VR systems, effectively presenting its ability to perform varifocal image. This solves both the problems of VAC and vision correction in AR and VR systems. By adjusting the LC lens set, it could display even 7 switching modes and the lens power ranges from 0 to -4.5 D.
We demonstrated an image-based polarization detection system comprising 4 tunable liquid crystal wave plate and 4 polarizers for the measurement of full Stokes parameters and material recognition with a single shot. In this paper, based on polarization property, the metal plate and the glass substrate could be recognized. The one of the applications is to provide a practical way in image-based polarization detection in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for material recognition which could help in driving safety.
With the help of augmented reality (AR) ) and virtual reality (VR) systems, users can receive information and connect with each other via near-eye displays (NEDs). However, several challenges still need to be addressed, especially the optics. Users wearing current NEDs typically suffer from vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC). Furthermore, people with refractive errors need a pair of prescription lenses to clearly see the virtual image and/or environment. Hence, VAC-free AR/VR systems with vision correction functions should be developed. Furthermore, the AR/VR systems must be designed with slim form factors. Liquid crystal (LC) optical elements with a thin form factor have been demonstrated for light modulation in versatile optical systems; thus, LC-based solutions have been proposed for AR/VR systems in the past decade. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review on LC-based optical systems and suggest possible solutions how LC active optics could be used in NED systems. It focuses on the fundamental optics of NEDs, origins of VAC and current LC-based solutions, LC lenses for vision correction function, and the guidelines for solving the two aforementioned challenges using LC lenses. We also introduce some recent progress in our group.
Liquid crystal based lenses with variable focal length are of broad interest due to their wide area of applications ranging from techniques to medicine. We present the modeling approaches and results for a couple of tunable liquid crystal based lenses, namely: curved electrode lens, lens with hole patterned electrode and high resistivity layer, lens based on modulated anchoring and contact lens. We also discuss the current challenges associated with the modeling of LC lenses and possible ways to overcome them.
We have developed a bistable negative lens by integrating a polarization switch of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) with a passively anisotropic focusing element. The proposed lens not only exhibits electrically tunable bistability but also fast response time of sub-milliseconds, which leads to good candidate of optical component in optical system for medical applications. In this paper, we demonstrate an optical system consisting of two FLC phase retarders and one LC lenses that exhibits both of electrically tunable wavelength and size of exposure area. The operating principles and the experimental results are discussed. The tunable spectrum, exposure area size and tunable irradiance are illustrated. Compared to conventional lenses with mechanical movements in the medical light therapy system, our electrically switchable optical system is more practical in the portable applications of light therapy (LLLT).
Motion blur is one of the major factors decreasing the image quality of a hand-held optical imaging system while the system is under shakes or vibrations during exposure. Optical image stabilization (OIS) is a technique to reduce such a blurring. The basic principle of OIS is to stabilize the recorded image in a camera by varying the optical path to the sensor under vibrations during exposure. In this paper, we demonstrate optical image stabilization (OIS) for an imaging system using a droplet manipulation on a liquid crystal and polymer composite film (LCPCF) that reduces the motion blur. The mechanism is based on manipulation of position of the liquid lens on LCPCF by means of electrically adjusting orientations of liquid crystals. The change of the position of the liquid lens compensates the deviation of light when the image system is under a handshake vibration. Therefore, the imaging system forms a clear image with a droplet on different position to overcome handshake vibration. The concept in this paper can also be extended to design other optical components for modulating the direction of light.
A polarized liquid crystal (LC) lens composed of a LC layers as a polarization switch and a liquid crystal and polymer composites lens (LCPC lens) is demonstrated with electrically switching (ES) mode and optically rewritten (ORW) mode. The lens power of LCPC lens is related to a polarization state of light modulated by the LC layer whose orientations are manipulated either electrically or optically. As a result, the LC lens is not only electrically switchable, but also optically rewritable. Each mode, ES mode or ORW mode, exhibits two discrete lens powers (-1.39 Diopter and +0.7 Diopter). The demonstrated aperture size is 10 mm. The detail optical mechanism is also discussed. The Modulation Transfer Function (so-called MTF) of the lens is measured as well. In addition, the image performance and the dispersion of the LC lens are investigated. Such a polarized LC lens could be a special switch in optical systems due to dual operation modes.
Liquid crystal (LC) lenses offer novel opportunities for applications of ophthalmic lenses, camera modules, pico projectors, endoscopes, and optical zoom systems owing to electrically tunable lens power. Nevertheless, the tunable lens power and the aperture size of LC lenses are limited by the optical phase resulting from limit birefringence of LC materials. Recently, we developed a liquid crystal and polymer composite film (LCPCF) as a separation layer and an alignment layer for a multi-layered structure of LC lenses in order to enlarge the polarization-independent optical phase modulation. However, the physical properties and mechanical properties of the LCPCF are not clearly investigated. In this paper, we show the mechanical and physical properties of the LCPCF. The anchoring energy of the LCPCF is comparable with the standard rubbing-induced alignment layer. The transmission efficiency is around 97% neglecting the Fresnel reflection. The surface roughness is under 2 nm by using AFM scanning. The bending strength test indicates that the LCPCF can hold the LC material with reasonable deformation. We believe this study provides a deeper insight to the LC lens structure embedded with LCPCF.
Large aperture and polarizer-free liquid crystal lenses (LC lenses) based on a double-layered structure for ophthalmic applications are demonstrated. The polarizer-free LC lens functions as both of a positive lens and a negative lens with large aperture size of 10mm. The lens power is electrically and continuously tunable ranging from -1.32 Diopter to 1.83 Diopter. To demonstrate the polarization independency, the wavefronts of the LC lenses under different polarized light were measured and discussed. The detail operations of the applied voltage and frequency are also discussed. The imaging performance of the LC lens is also evaluated. This study provide a detail understanding of the polarizer-free LC lenses based on a double-layered structure.
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