Lens System and Method

Abstract

An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion and having a filler material. The optical system also includes a corrective fixed lens. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. The corrective fixed lens is integral with the first deformable lens and the corrective fixed lens is in direct contact with the filler material of the deformable lens where the light passes through, and is configured to correct monochromatic or polychromatic aberrations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical system comprising:
 a first deformable lens including a membrane with a deformable portion and including a filler material;   a corrective fixed lens;   a sensor configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens;   an optical path extending through the first deformable lens and to the sensor;   wherein the first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor;   wherein the corrective fixed lens is integral with the first deformable lens and the corrective fixed lens is in direct contact with the filler material of the deformable lens where the light passes through, and is configured to correct monochromatic or polychromatic aberrations.   
     
     
         2 . The optical system of  claim 1  further comprising a second deformable lens that is disposed within the optical path, the second deformable lens operates with the first deformable lens to focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The optical system of  claim 2  wherein the first deformable lens and the second deformable lens are tuned at least in part by an element selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic actuator, an electromagnetic actuator, magnetostrictive actuator, a piezo motor, a stepper motor, and an electroactive polymer actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The optical system of  claim 1  wherein the first deformable lens is configured to change from a concave shape to a convex shape. 
     
     
         5 . The optical system of  claim 2  wherein the second deformable lens is configured to change from a convex shape to a concave shape. 
     
     
         6 . The optical system of  claim 1  wherein the corrective fixed lens element is constructed from a rigid material. 
     
     
         7 . The optical system of  claim 2  wherein an aperture stop is disposed between the two deformable lenses. 
     
     
         8 . The optical system of  claim 1  wherein an aperture stop is disposed inside the first deformable lens 
     
     
         9 . The optical system of  claim 1  further comprising a fixed, non-deformable lens disposed in the optical path, wherein the fixed non-deformable lens is constructed from a rigid material, and wherein the fixed, non-deformable lens is configured to correct for monochromatic or spherical aberrations. 
     
     
         10 . The optical system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one fixed, non-deformable lens disposed in the optical path, wherein the fixed focus lens is constructed from a rigid material, and wherein the at least one fixed, non-deformable lens is configured to correct for polychromatic aberrations. 
     
     
         11 . The optical system of  claim 1  further comprising a second corrective fixed lens disposed in the optical path, wherein the second corrective fixed lens is constructed from a rigid material, the second corrective fixed lens is disposed between a deformable lens closest to the sensor and the sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The optical system of  claim 1  wherein an interface defined by the corrective fixed lens and the filler material has no inflection points in its shape where the design light rays pass through.