Active Optics With Room Temperature Vulcanizing Silicone Rubber

A novel method of constructing variable focal length lens employing clear two component room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber is presented. Deformation of the lens is achieved by symmetrically applying pressure through a fluid to a slab of RTV-rubber in such a manner as to change the shape with minimum optical distortion. The theory of deformation of a flexible slab is presented and the optical manifestations predicted. Two different configurations of the variable focal length lens were constructed and experiments performed to measure refraction as well as surface properties. It is found that to first order the theory and experiment agree well. With this theoretical tool expanded to higher orders, new and interesting optical designs should be possible using RTV-rubber lens.