Optical zoom imaging systems using adaptive liquid lenses

Abstract

An optical zoom imaging system that can vary the magnification factor without displacing the object and the image plane has been widely used. Nonetheless, conventional optical zoom imaging systems suffer from slow response, complicated configuration, vulnerability to misalignment during zoom operation, and are incompatible with miniaturized applications. This review article focuses on state-of-the-art research on novel optical zoom imaging systems that use adaptive liquid lenses. From the aspect of the configuration, according to the number of adaptive liquid lenses, we broadly divide the current optical zoom imaging systems using adaptive liquid lenses into two configurations: multiple adaptive liquid lenses, and a single adaptive liquid lens. The principles and configurations of these optical zoom imaging systems are introduced and represented. Three different working principles of the adaptive liquid lens (liquid crystal, polymer elastic membrane, and electrowetting effect) adopted in the optical zoom imaging systems are reviewed. Some representative applications of optical zoom imaging systems using adaptive liquid lenses are introduced. The opportunities and challenges of the optical zoom imaging systems using adaptive liquid lenses are also discussed. This review aims to provide a snapshot of the current state of this research field with the aim to attract more attention to put forward the development of the next-generation optical zoom imaging systems.

Keywords: adaptive liquid lenses; electrowetting effect; liquid crystal; optical zoom; polymer elastic membrane.