What Are Electro-Optic Lenses?

Electro optics is a field of physical science, electrical engineering, photonics, optoelectronic devices and micro-fabrication related fields involving dynamic devices and materials that work by the interaction and propagation of light on various tailored surfaces. The term 'electro optics' can be said to denote various things. Some people choose to define electro optics simply as the art or science of using electricity and its interactions with various devices and materials in the generation of electricity. Others opt to use electro optics as the study of the generation of 'light' and its interaction and subsequent transfer through mirrors.

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Let's start our journey in the realm of electro optics. Light is typically transmitted via the exchange of electrons between light particles, termed 'photon beams' for short. These particles are then absorbed and reflected along the wave front. The light that is incident on the filter's surface and which passes through the filter is termed as reflected light. This reflection occurs at different times in different locations, hence the phenomenon of wave-like qualities (i.e., light having a varying color).

Electro-Optic Diagram

A portion of this reflected light is then emitted as visible light. This process continues in the presence of any obstacle in the form of diffusers, filters, or optical aberrations. This electro-optic lens was first envisioned by Albert Einstein nearly 100 years ago. His special theory of relativity called for the existence of electromagnetic waves in vacuum regions where no other matter exists.

The Einstein's theory predicts that energy pertains only to a region where a wave travels. This is why a photographic filter that captures all wavelengths of light simultaneously is referred to as a multi-frame filter. A wave plate is another name given to a lens. In wave plates, a thin film of coated material is placed over the lens. The plate changes its shape according to the wave that is passing through it.

One example of such a filter is found in the prismoscope, which is used by doctors to examine patients' eye tissue. The prisms in the prisms are covered with a thin layer of glass that is charged electrically. When a beam of light strikes the prisms, its electrical field alters the path of the light rays. Thus, by measuring the position and movement of the prisms, doctors can determine eye diseases by observing the difference between the positions of the prisms with and without a filter. Prisms have made great advances over the years, making use of various filter types.

Filters function in much the same way as prisms. A certain amount of electrons exist in each molecule of the molecules. Whenever an electron is missing, that molecule gets its missing electron from somewhere else and becomes non-active. As a result, the atoms of that substance get restless, and the molecules no longer follow the normal walking pattern. The atoms then bump into neighboring atoms and emit light, or in some cases, create very energetic particles that vaporize as they collide with nearby molecules.

Electro-optic filters use this same idea, but instead of using the missing electrons from one molecule to excite another, they send a different type of wave to excite the atoms. The wave, in this case, is an electric field. This field can be tuned by placing the filter in a special kind of medium that allows only certain wavelengths of light to pass through. By tuning the filter to the wavelengths that will excite the atoms, scientists can see where the stray light comes from. They are able to determine where the stray light came from, allowing them to precisely pinpoint its location within the lens. This technology is often used when studying cells and other microorganisms.

Electron beams are also produced by many lenses. When light strikes the lens, it hits the lens, which sends out waves that travel through the lens and to the eye. When these waves reach the retina at the back of the eye, they split and enter the nerve tissue, stimulating the nerve cells. New nerve cell activity causes the visual system to process light through the nervous system, resulting in improved vision. When researchers develop better ways to use these types of lenses in the future, they may provide a better alternative for people who need vision correction.

 

Lens

Attribute	Specification
Outer Diameter	0.1mm-800mm
Thickness(mm)	>=0.5
Tolerance(mm)	+/-0.01
Surface Quality	10/5
Centration	5"
Clear Aperture	100%
Power (irregularity)	1 (0.2)
Bevel	0.1-0.3"45 deg

 

Windows

Attribute	Specification
Outer Diameter	0.5mm-800mm
Thickness(mm)	>=0.1
Tolerance(mm)	+/-0.01
Surface Quality	10/5
Centration	3"
Clear Aperture	100%
Flatness	1/20
Bevel	0.1-0.3"45 deg

 

Prisms

Attribute	Specification
Outer Diameter	>= 0.5mm
Tolerance(mm)	>=0.01
Angle Tolerance (mm)	10"
Surface Quality	10/5
Flatness	1/15
Bevel	0.1-0.3"45 deg

 

Red Infrared (IR)

Attribute	Specification
Outer Diameter	0.1mm-800mm
Thickness(mm)	>=0.5
Tolerance	+/-0.01
Surface Quality	10/5
Centration	5"
Clear Aperture	100%
Power (Irregularity)	1(0.2)
Bevel	0.1-0.3*45 deg