New Fast Electrically Tunable Lens for Laser Processing

New Fast Electrically Tunable Lens for Laser Processing The working principle of Optotune’s new EL-10-42-OF lens with integrated optical feedback is based on the company’s well-established adaptive polymer based optics - providing a smart, low-cost, yet high-quality alternative to traditional optics. Using a liquid polymer, Optotune has developed a range of focus tunable lenses - offering freedom and flexibility to optics designers. The curvature of the lens is adjusted by applying an electrical current, and the focal length is accordingly tuned to a desired value within milliseconds. The EL-10-42-OF lens is 42mm in diameter with a height of 36mm and a clear aperture of 10mm. The lens is a plano convex + plano concave offset lens with focal length range of -500 to +500 mm and refractive index of 1.300. The EL-10-42-OF has integrated optical feedback, measuring the optical power of the lens in real-time. Reproducibility and focus stability is extremely high, making Optotune’s EL-10-42-OF an excellent choice for laser processing applications. The optical power of the EL-10-42-OF increases with increasing current. The core that forms the lens contains an optical fluid, which is sealed off with an elastic polymer membrane. An electromagnetic actuator is used to exert pressure on the container and therefore changes the curvature of the lens. By changing the electrical current flowing through the coil of the actuator, the optical power of the lens is controlled. More information on the complete Optotune range of focus variable lenses is available on Pacer’s website: http://www.pacer.co.uk/products/lasers-and-detectors/opticsandaotf/variablelenses/