Technology

Dynamic Optics is a disruptive technology - it can allow the cost, size, weight, and complexity of optical systems to be greatly reduced, and their performance and functionality to be greatly improved.

A dynamic (or active) optical element is one whose shape, refractive, or diffractive characteristics can be controlled, typically electronically and at high speed. In simple terms it can be considered an "electronic lens" that can introduce or remove optical aberration and/or distortion ranging from low to high order. Example technologies include deformable mirrors, liquid crystal lenses, and fluid lenses.

Until recently, dynamic optical elements were used primarily in astronomical telescopes within "Adaptive Optics" systems for the correction of atmospheric distortion. These systems often cost millions of dollars. Recently, however, devices such as silicon micro-machined deformable mirrors have been brought to market.

The significant reduction in dynamic optical element scale and cost enables new applications, in particular in consumer products such as digital cameras and digital projectors. We use the term "Dynamic Optics" to denote the typically open-loop correction of aberration and/or distortion in such applications.

Please go to our Download area for more information.