An optical device (40) includes an electro-optical layer (46), having an effective local index of refraction at any given location within an active area of the electro-optical layer that is determined by a voltage waveform applied across the electro-optical layer at the location. Conductive electrodes (50, 52) are disposed over opposing first and second side of the electro-optical layer. Control circuitry (26) is configured to apply control voltage waveforms between the conductive electrodes so as to generate a phase modulation profile in the electro-optical layer that causes rays of optical radiation that are incident on the device to converge or diverge with a given focal power, while varying an amplitude of the control voltage waveforms for the given focal power responsively to an angle of incidence of the rays that impinge on the device from a direction of interest.

A liquid lens architecture includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based membrane overlying at least a portion of the transparent substrate, and a liquid layer disposed between and abutting the transparent substrate and the multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane-based membrane. The TPU-based membrane may exhibit a reversible elastic response to imposed strains of up to approximately 2% and is configured to limit the transpiration of fluid to less than approximately 10.sup.−2 g/m.sup.2/day.

A liquid lens architecture includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based membrane overlying at least a portion of the transparent substrate, and a liquid layer disposed between and abutting the transparent substrate and the multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane-based membrane. The TPU-based membrane may exhibit a reversible elastic response to imposed strains of up to approximately 2% and is configured to limit the transpiration of fluid to less than approximately 10.sup.−2 g/m.sup.2/day.

Disclosed is a drying-wetting separated filling method and a filling apparatus for an electrowetting display device. The filling method comprises filling a non-polar solution into pixel grids on a lower substrate of an electrowetting display device in air, and filling a polar solution to immediately cover the non-polar solution filled after filling the non-polar solution into the pixel grids. Compared with filling the non-polar solution into the polar solution, directly filling the non-polar solution in air has better filling uniformity, easier operation and control. With the method, the fillings of the polar solution and the non-polar solution are easy, having a higher filling efficiency, and no air bubble residue.

Disclosed is a drying-wetting separated filling method and a filling apparatus for an electrowetting display device. The filling method comprises filling a non-polar solution into pixel grids on a lower substrate of an electrowetting display device in air, and filling a polar solution to immediately cover the non-polar solution filled after filling the non-polar solution into the pixel grids. Compared with filling the non-polar solution into the polar solution, directly filling the non-polar solution in air has better filling uniformity, easier operation and control. With the method, the fillings of the polar solution and the non-polar solution are easy, having a higher filling efficiency, and no air bubble residue.

A wavelength selective filter includes a filter material. The filter material includes a host matrix doped with metal ions. The filter material has a transmission region within a deep ultraviolet (UV) range such that UV light at wavelengths within the transmission region is transmitted through the filter material.

A wavelength selective filter includes a filter material. The filter material includes a host matrix doped with metal ions. The filter material has a transmission region within a deep ultraviolet (UV) range such that UV light at wavelengths within the transmission region is transmitted through the filter material.

An optical device includes an electro-optical layer and conductive electrodes disposed over opposing first and second side of the electro-optical layer. Control circuitry is configured to apply at least first control voltage waveforms and second control voltage waveforms between the conductive electrodes so as to generate respective first and second phase modulation profiles in the electro-optical layer, which cause rays of optical radiation that are incident on the device to converge or diverge with respective first and second focal powers, and to change from the first focal power to the second focal power by concurrently applying overshoot control voltages to each of a plurality of the conductive electrodes for different, respective transition periods, followed by application of the second control voltage waveforms.

This invention provides an integrated time-of-flight sensor that delivers distance information to a processor associated with the camera assembly and vison system. The distance is processed with the above-described feedback control, to auto-focus the camera assembly's variable lens during runtime operation based on the particular size/shape object(s) within the field of view. The shortest measured distance is used to set the focus distance of the lens. To correct for calibration or drift errors, a further image-based focus optimization can occur around the measured distance and/or based on the measured temperature. The distance information generated by the time-of-flight sensor can be employed to perform other functions. Other functions include self-triggering of image acquisition, object size dimensioning, detection and analysis of object defects and/or gap detection between objects in the field of view and software-controlled range detection to prevent unintentional reading of (e.g.) IDs on objects outside a defined range (presentation mode).

Methods and devices are provided for the beam steering, focusing, display, and generation of light and images by electronically induced refractive index gradients and scattering fields formed by forces on particles in a colloid due to phoretic processes. The methods and devices provide control over multi-octave bandwidth and polarization diverse light having a large dynamic range in power handling. Embodiments of the technique are provided for large-angle beam steering, beam combining, focusing, and redirecting light electronically. Diverse applications for the technology include, but are not limited to: solar concentrators, LiDAR, robotic vision, smartphone zoom lenses, 3D-manufacturing, high-power laser machining, augmented & virtual reality displays, electronic paper displays, computer and television displays.