Tunable solid-body elastomer lenses with electromagnetic actuation

We present novel biconvex solid-body elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane) lenses, which can be tuned in focal length by using magnetic or mechanical actuation. The focal length change is induced by applying radial elastic strain and is investigated for different initial radii of curvature of the lenses and different actuation designs. In all cases, a linear correlation between induced strain and focal length tuning, in the range of about 10% (approximately 3 mm), is found. These results compare favorably with finite element simulations.