Andrew K. Kirby

High-speed switchable lens enables the development of a volumetric stereoscopic display

Stereoscopic displays present different images to the two eyes and thereby create a compelling three-dimensional (3D) sensation. They are being developed for numerous applications including cinema, television, virtual prototyping, and medical imaging. However, stereoscopic displays cause perceptual distortions, performance decrements, and visual fatigue. These problems occur because some of the presented depth cues (i.e., perspective and binocular disparity) specify the intended 3D scene while focus cues (blur and accommodation) specify the fixed distance of the display itself. We have developed a stereoscopic display that circumvents these problems. It consists of a fast switchable lens synchronized to the display such that focus cues are nearly correct. The system has great potential for both basic vision research and display applications.

Adaptive modally addressed liquid crystal lenses

An adaptive lens, which has variable focus and is rapidly controllable with simple low-power electronics, has numerous applications in optical telecommunications devices, 3D display systems, miniature cameras and adaptive optics. The University of Durham is developing a range of adaptive liquid crystal lenses, and here we describe work on construction of modal liquid crystal lenses. This type of lens was first described by Naumov [1] and further developed by others [2-4]. In this system, a spatially varying and circularly symmetric voltage profile can be generated across a liquid-crystal cell, generating a lens-like refractive index profile. Such devices are simple in design, and do not require a pixellated structure. The shape and focussing power of the lens can be controlled by the variation of applied electric field and frequency. Results show adaptive lenses operating at optical wavelengths with continuously variable focal lengths from infinity to 70 cm. Switching speeds are of the order of 1 second between focal positions. Manufacturing methods of our adaptive lenses are presented, together with the latest results to the performance of these devices.

Fast, large and controllable phase modulation using dual frequency liquid crystals

We report on a method for high speed, large stroke phase modulation using dual frequency control of liquid crystals. Our system uses an all-electronic feedback system in order to simplify the control. We show half wave phase modulations of ~120Hz with the operating point varying over nearly the full dynamic range of the device, and demonstrate larger phase shifts (2.5 waves) at a frequency of 37Hz. For large phase shifts, the speeds are an order of magnitude faster than existing techniques.

Modal liquid crystal devices in optical tweezing: 3D control and oscillating potential wells

We investigate the use of liquid crystal (LC) adaptive optics elements to provide full 3 dimensional particle control in an optical tweezer. These devices are suitable for single controllable traps, and so are less versatile than many of the competing technologies which can be used to control multiple particles. However, they have the advantages of simplicity and light efficiency. Furthermore, compared to binary holographic optical traps they have increased positional accuracy. The transmissive LC devices could be retro-fitted to an existing microscope system. An adaptive modal LC lens is used to vary the z-focal position over a range of up to 100 mum and an adaptive LC beam-steering device is used to deflect the beam (and trapped particle) in the x-y plane within an available radius of 10 mum. Furthermore, by modifying the polarisation of the incident light, these LC components also offer the opportunity for the creation of dual optical traps of controllable depth and separation.

Sub-millisecond, high stroke phase modulation using polymer network liquid crystals.

We describe the production of a high speed, and high stroke, phase modulator using a polymer network liquid crystal device. We present data showing fast response times (sub millisecond) in a device which can operate at visible wavelengths with a simple electrical addressing scheme.

Liquid crystal multi-mode lenses and axicons based on electronic phase shift control

We report on the principle of operation, construction and testing of a liquid crystal lens which is controlled by distributing voltages across the control electrodes, which are in turn controlled by adjusting the phase of the applied voltages. As well as (positive and negative) defocus, then lenses can be used to control tip/tilt, astigmatism, and to create variable axicons.

Common path interferometric wavefront sensor for extreme adaptive optics

We describe a method of implementing a common-path phase-shifting point diffraction interferometric wavefront sensor suitable for extreme adaptive optics. The sensor simultaneously gives two phase-shifted outputs which can be used to drive a phase-only wavefront corrector. The device can also give a null output which can be used to calibrate any scintillation. Simulations are performed showing the utility of the device and experimental results of a high speed single channel closed loop system are presented.

Microfluidic generation of monodisperse ultra-low interfacial tension oil droplets in water

We present a novel microfluidic approach for the generation of monodisperse oil droplets in water with interfacial tensions of the order of 1 μN m−1. Using an oil-in-water emulsion containing the surfactant aerosol OT, heptane, water and sodium chloride under conditions close to the microemulsion phase transition, we actively controlled the surface tension at the liquid–liquid interface within the microfluidic device in order to produce monodisperse droplets. These droplets exhibited high levels of stability with respect to rupture and coalescence rates. Confirmation that the resultant emulsions were in the ultra-low tension regime was determined using real space detection of thermally-induced capillary waves at the droplet interface.

Adaptive lenses based on polarization modulation

We present and demonstrate a technique for producing a high-speed variable focus lens using a fixed birefringent lens and a ferroelectric liquid crystal cell as a polarization switch. A calcite lenses with ordinary and extraordinary focal lengths of 109mm and 88mm respectively, was used to demonstrate focus switching at frequencies of up to 3kHz. Two identical lenses and a single liquid crystal were also used to demonstrate zoom.

Phase modulation with polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

We report on work on producing phase-only polymer-dispersed liquid crystals for use in spatial light modulators for adaptive optics. The aim is to assess the magnitude of the achievable phase shifts and the associated slew rate. We describe our methodology of producing devices and present our initial results.