Variable-focus liquid lens by changing aperture

We propose an adaptive liquid-filled lens, which consists of an elastic membrane, a solid plate, and an annular sealing ring; a liquid with a fixed volume stored in lens chamber. The key part is the annular sealing ring which looks like an iris diaphragm. The surfaces of annular sealing ring are sealed with an elastic membrane. The radius of the annular sealing ring is changeable. By tuning the radius of the annular sealing ring, the stored liquid in the lens will be redistributed, thus changing the curvature of the elastic membrane. Therefore, the lens cell causes light to converge or diverge. A liquid lens with a positive variable focus was demonstrated, this kind of lens has the advantages of simple fabrication process, compact structure, easy operation, and low cost. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.