Nanocomposite refractive index gradient variable focus optic

Abstract

A nanocomposite ink refractive gradient optic with variable focus optic comprising a first optical element, a second optical element, each the optical elements comprised of a cured nanocomposite ink wherein the first and second optical element have a cubic volumetric gradient complex optical index such that when arranged in tandem along an optical axis the optical power varies based on linear translation with respect to another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing a nanocomposite-ink based optic with a gradient complex optical index and variable focus, the method comprising:
 having or providing a nanocomposite-ink printing apparatus with a nanocomposite ink including an organic matrix with a nanoparticle dispersed within the organic matrix;   depositing and forming a first optical element having a first surface and a second surface with a gradient optical index;   depositing and forming a second optic element having a first surface and a second surface with a gradient optical index, the first optical element and the second optical element each comprising a cured nanocomposite ink with an organic matrix and a nanoparticle dispersed within the organic matrix,   wherein the first and the second optical elements are arranged in tandem along on an optical axis and have an optical power that varies based on translation between the first and second optical element.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the first optical element and the second optical element are printed in a tandem arrangement. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising depositing a sacrificial layer between the first optical element and the second optical element, the sacrificial layer facilitating post fabrication physical separation of the first optical element and the second optical element. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising depositing an elastomeric layer between the first optical element and the second optical element. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising depositing an alignment feature on the first optical element and/or the second optical element. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the alignment feature is configured for informing post-process surface figuring. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the alignment feature is configured as a guide for cleaving, sawing, or otherwise physically separating the first optical element from the second optical element. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the alignment feature is configured for alignment of the first and second optical elements during assembly of an optical system. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the first optical element and the second optical element include an array of optical elements, each comprising a cubic refractive gradient profile. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the array is printed in a square, hexagonal, or other close-packed geometry chosen to limit an amount of light striking a non-index modulated portion of the first or second optical element. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 24  wherein two or more nanocomposite inks are used to fabricate the optical element. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the two or more nanocomposite inks are inter-diffused on a substrate to create intermediate refractive index values derived from a proportion of each optical ink. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the two or more nanocomposite inks are achromatic. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the translation is a linear translation orthogonal to the optical axis. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the gradient index profile is a cubic polynomial function. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the gradient index profile varies in three dimensions. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the elastomeric layer includes nanoparticles. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the wherein the cured nanocomposite ink is photo-cured. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the cured nanocomposite ink is thermally cured. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the alignment feature is configured to facilitate translation of the first and second optical elements relative to each other. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein a density of deposited droplets, inter-diffused and cured, is used to define the complex optical gradient. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein a volume of each of the deposited droplets is below 10 picoliters.