Current optofluidic devices are analog focus-tunable elements with a continually varying focus between foci. An innovative digitized optofluidic element was developed to enable fast switching between the foci. The operation involves an internally placed elastic membrane of changing shape between the refractive and diffractive forms with a tiny amount of fluid transfer by a micro-actuator. This allows for switching the digitized optofluidic element between the refractive and diffractive states of the preset optical powers. A multimodal relief surface design was used in the diffractive state to manage the diffractive grooves and improve the chromatic characteristics. We applied finite element analysis to establish the membrane mechanical properties. The proof-of-concept prototypes were made using material bonding fabrication processes and were used to demonstrate an elastic membrane shape change between the refractive and diffractive forms for switching between the corresponding optical states. The design of the digitized optofluidic element allowed for bistate or tristate switching by a single actuator. The switchable element can be fairly thin, enabling conversion of a fixed lens into a dynamic lens switchable between two or three foci. The application of the tristate design to eyewear for presbyopia correction is discussed.

中文翻译：

---

数字化光流体元件及其在老花眼矫正三态镜片中的应用

当前的光流体设备是模拟焦点可调元件，焦点之间的焦点不断变化。开发了一种创新的数字化光流体元件，以实现焦点之间的快速切换。该操作涉及在折射和衍射形式之间改变形状的内部放置的弹性膜，通过微致动器传输少量流体。这允许在预设光焦度的折射和衍射状态之间切换数字化光流体元件。在衍射状态下使用多峰浮雕表面设计来管理衍射凹槽并改善色度特性。我们应用有限元分析来建立膜的机械性能。概念验证原型是使用材料粘合制造工艺制成的，用于演示折射和衍射形式之间的弹性膜形状变化，以在相应的光学状态之间切换。数字化光流体元件的设计允许通过单个致动器进行双态或三态切换。可切换元件可以相当薄，从而能够将固定镜头转换为可在两个或三个焦点之间切换的动态镜头。讨论了三态设计在老花眼矫正眼镜中的应用。可切换元件可以相当薄，从而能够将固定镜头转换为可在两个或三个焦点之间切换的动态镜头。讨论了三态设计在老花眼矫正眼镜中的应用。可切换元件可以相当薄，从而能够将固定镜头转换为可在两个或三个焦点之间切换的动态镜头。讨论了三态设计在老花眼矫正眼镜中的应用。