The focusing control device capable of preventing deterioration in precision of focusing control from being caused by an error in phase-difference depending on ambient temperature includes: an imaging element that outputs a pair of image signals deviated in one direction on the basis of one subject light image; a phase-difference detection section that detects a phase-difference between the pair of image signals; a temperature detection section; a correction section that corrects the in-focus position of the focus lens based on the detection phase-difference, which is the phase-difference detected by the phase-difference detection section, on the basis of the data in which the temperature, the focus lens position, and the information for in-focus position correction are associated with one another, the temperature which is detected by the temperature detection section, and the focus lens position; and a lens control section that moves the focus lens to the corrected in-focus position.

A projection lens has lens holding frames that hold lenses. In a case where an image forming panel is disposed to be shifted with respect to an optical axis of the projection lens, an increase in temperature of a first part on a side to which the image forming panel is shifted with respect to the optical axis L, is greater than that of a second part on the opposite side. A hollow structure, which makes the first part 36f and the second part 36g communicate with each other, has a porous layer and is filled with a heat storage medium. By circulating the heat storage medium through the inside of the hollow structure, the first part is cooled, and the second part is heated. Therefore, temperature distribution in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel becomes uniform, and deterioration in performance of the projected image is suppressed.

A projection lens includes: first to fifth lenses; a light shielding ring; an aperture stop; and a lens barrel. The light shielding ring is rotated in a circumferential direction of the lens barrel by a rotation mechanism. In a case where an image forming panel is shifted with respect to an optical axis of the projection lens, a part, through which the light passes, is biased in the projection lens, whereby temperature distribution occurs in the lens barrel in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The thermal deformation of the high temperature side of the lens barrel due to the temperature distribution is greater than that on the low temperature side. The respective lenses may be tilted due to thermal deformation. By rotating the light shielding ring through the rotation mechanism, the temperature increases uniformly in the circumferential direction of the light shielding ring.

An assembly for fixing an optical element in a manner that decouples the optical element from mechanical stresses and thermal strains while providing freedom to facilitate alignment of the optical element, and while also eliminating polymers that can cause contamination problems including a mount configured for attachment to an optical system; a plurality of flexible metal members, each flexible member having a first end affixed to or integrally extending from the mount, and a free end defining a bearing surface for supporting an optical element; and an inorganic adhesive joining a surface of the optical member to the bearing surface.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a lens module comprising: a first lens which comprises a center portion including a curved surface and a periphery portion extending from the center portion; an electrode which is disposed on the first lens; and first and second conductive parts which are disposed on the electrode, wherein the first and second conductive parts include first and second surfaces opposite to each other with respect to the center portion therebetween, respectively, and the first and second surfaces are convex toward the center portion.

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for annealing a chalcogenide lens at an elevated temperature to accelerate release of internal stress within the chalcogenide lens caused during a molding process that formed the chalcogenide lens. In particular, the annealing process includes gradually heating the chalcogenide lens to a dwell temperature, maintaining the chalcogenide lens at the dwell temperature for a predetermined period of time, and gradually cooling the chalcogenide lens from the dwell temperature. The annealing process stabilizes the shape, the effective focal length, and/or the modulation transfer function of the chalcogenide lens. Associated optical assemblies and infrared imaging devices are also described.

A laser beam expander has at least two negative lenses with adjustable collimation. The amount of required motion can be reduced by an order of magnitude over single negative lens approaches by splitting the input lens in two and adjusting the small remaining air gap between the lenses. The change in collimation may be accomplished by heating/cooling (i.e., thermal), mechanical motion (e.g., motors), electro-optical means (e.g., applying or reducing an electric current), any combination thereof, or any other suitable mechanism.

Systems and methods reduce temperature induced drift effects on a liquid lens used in a vision system. A feedback loop receives a temperature value from a temperature sensor, and based on the received temperature value, controls a power to the heating element based on a difference between the measured temperature of the liquid lens and a predetermined control temperature to maintain the temperature value within a predetermined control temperature range to reduce the effects of drift. A processor can also control a bias signal applied to the lens or a lens actuator to control temperature variations and the associated induced drift effects. An image sharpness can also be determined over a series of images, alone or in combination with controlling the temperature of the liquid lens, to adjust a focal distance of the lens.

Systems and methods reduce temperature induced drift effects on a liquid lens used in a vision system. A feedback loop receives a temperature value from a temperature sensor, and based on the received temperature value, controls a power to the heating element based on a difference between the measured temperature of the liquid lens and a predetermined control temperature to maintain the temperature value within a predetermined control temperature range to reduce the effects of drift. A processor can also control a bias signal applied to the lens or a lens actuator to control temperature variations and the associated induced drift effects. An image sharpness can also be determined over a series of images, alone or in combination with controlling the temperature of the liquid lens, to adjust a focal distance of the lens.

A lens alignment system and method is disclosed. The disclosed system/method integrates one or more lens retaining members/tubes (LRM/LRT) and focal length spacers (FLS) each comprising a metallic material product (MMP) specifically manufactured to have a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) in a predetermined range via selection of the individual MMP materials and an associated MMP manufacturing process providing for controlled TEC. This controlled LRM/LRT TEC enables a plurality of optical lenses (POL) fixed along a common optical axis (COA) by the LRM/LRT to maintain precise interspatial alignment characteristics that ensure consistent and/or controlled series focal length (SFL) within the POL to generate a thermally neutral optical system (TNOS). Integration of the POL using this LRM/LRT/FLS lens alignment system reduces the overall TNOS implementation cost, reduces the overall TNOS mass, reduces TNOS parts component count, and increases the reliability of the overall optical system.