Abstract
The thesis presents a design of a variable focus camera with liquid
lens. There are no mechanical moving parts and the only active component is a
Varioptic Arctic 320 liquid lens. The liquid lens is based on a phenomenon
called electrowetting that can be used to change the contact angle of a
conductive liquid with a surface. Inside the liquid lens there are two
immiscible liquids that have different indices of refraction: a water solution
and an oil. By applying a suitable voltage the interface between the liquids
changes shape. Theory behind optical design, physics of electrowetting and
modeling this novel component during optical design are discussed. The
designed lens system is 24 millimeters long measured from the vertex of the
first lens to the surface of the image sensor. It contains no aspherical
surfaces. The full field of view of the camera is 40 degrees, its f-number is
2.5 and the effective focal length is approximately 6 millimeters. Nominal
performance of the design is presented exhaustively and modulation transfer
function measurements from a manufactured prototype are shown. The minimum
object distance of the prototype is about two centimeters.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Qualification | Master Degree |
Awarding Institution |
|
Place of Publication | Oulu |
Publisher | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
MoE publication type | G2 Master's thesis, polytechnic Master's thesis |