Miniaturized unified imaging system using bio-inspired fluidic lens

Frank S. Tsai; Sung Hwan Cho; Wen Qiao; Nam-Hyong Kim; Yu-Hwa Lo

doi:10.1117/12.801922

11 September 2008 Miniaturized unified imaging system using bio-inspired fluidic lens

Frank S. Tsai, Sung Hwan Cho, Wen Qiao, Nam-Hyong Kim, Yu-Hwa Lo

Proceedings Volume 7061, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XI; 70610N (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.801922
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Miniaturized imaging systems have become ubiquitous as they are found in an ever-increasing number of devices, such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants, and web cameras. Until now, the design and fabrication methodology of such systems have not been significantly different from conventional cameras. The only established method to achieve focusing is by varying the lens distance. On the other hand, the variable-shape crystalline lens found in animal eyes offers inspiration for a more natural way of achieving an optical system with high functionality. Learning from the working concepts of the optics in the animal kingdom, we developed bio-inspired fluidic lenses for a miniature universal imager with auto-focusing, macro, and super-macro capabilities. Because of the enormous dynamic range of fluidic lenses, the miniature camera can even function as a microscope. To compensate for the image quality difference between the central vision and peripheral vision and the shape difference between a solid-state image sensor and a curved retina, we adopted a hybrid design consisting of fluidic lenses for tunability and fixed lenses for aberration and color dispersion correction. A design of the world's smallest surgical camera with 3X optical zoom capabilities is also demonstrated using the approach of hybrid lenses.

Citation Download Citation

Frank S. Tsai, Sung Hwan Cho, Wen Qiao, Nam-Hyong Kim, and Yu-Hwa Lo "Miniaturized unified imaging system using bio-inspired fluidic lens", Proc. SPIE 7061, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XI, 70610N (11 September 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.801922

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