Abstract:
An electrically-variable optical device includes a planar optical element (POE) and at least one electromechanical layer. The POE includes at least one optical layer. The at least one electromechanical layer is configured to spatially deform the POE to change an optical parameter of the POE. The at least one electromechanical layer may include a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) which includes electrodes and an elastomeric spacer between the electrodes. An electric field may be introduced between the electrodes to deform the spacer, which in turn deforms the POE.
Abstract:
An electrically-variable optical device includes a planar optical element (POE) and at least one electromechanical layer. The POE includes at least one optical layer. The at least one electromechanical layer is configured to spatially deform the POE to change an optical parameter of the POE. The at least one electromechanical layer may include a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) which includes electrodes and an elastomeric spacer between the electrodes. An electric field may be introduced between the electrodes to deform the spacer, which in turn deforms the POE.