TAG Lens 2.0 Overview
The TAG Lens is an ultra-high speed varifocal device capable of increasing the depth-of-field of conventional lens systems or providing user-selected focal lengths in one simple lens. Offering sub-microsecond speeds and ease of operation, the TAG Lens offers a new dimension for emerging applications in imaging, laser micro-processing, and metrology.
It uses sound to shape light, making it orders of magnitude faster than other adaptive lens technologies. This novel mechanism-of-action has no moving parts and gives the TAG Lens the unique ability to extend the depth-of-field, or focus/defocus light providing economical solutions to industrial and commercial needs
Designed and optimized to harness small density changes in fluids caused by sound, the TAG Lens uses these changes in density variations to change the index of refraction, thereby shaping light as it goes through the device. Utilizing these small changes gives the TAG Lens versatility and speed that are orders of magnitude above any other adaptive optics device.
The TAG Lens is easy to use, can be operated using most function generators or directly from the USB output of a portable computer, and can be used synchronously or asynchronously with the light source. Adding a wealth of functionality, the TAG Lens can easily be incorporated into existing optical setups enabling the development of novel types of imaging or processing apparatus.
Why use a TAG Lens?
High resolution imaging, high throughput industrial/biomedical scanning, and laser processing share a common problem: current approaches are ill-suited for non-flat surfaces or 3-d volumes due to an inherent inability of traditional optical systems to rapidly change the focal position or to control the depth-of-field independently of the magnification
The TAG Lens solves this problem by providing a computer-controlled lens that works with existing optical assemblies to add z-direction tunability. Due to its sub-microsecond speeds, the TAG Lens is fast enough to scan 3-d volumes in real-time and provide a user defined depth-of-field and focus, for improving system throughput.
The TAG Lens 2.0 Line of products have multiple application spanning materials processing, imaging (organic & non-organic), wave sensing, optical interconnection and information encoding, spectrophotometry, and more.
Demonstrated Uses Include:
- Imaging
- Ultra Fast Electronically Controllable Variable Focus Imaging
- Ultra-High Depth of Field Imaging
- High-Speed Beam Modulation for Direct Write Manufacturing
- Dynamically controlled Laser Beam Shaping
- Percussion Drilling
- Bessel Beam Generation
- Optical Tweezing
Sample Specifications
- Effective Aperture:
Standard Lens: Max 11mm
Custom Versions: Max 15mm - Window Coating: Standard coatings in addition to custom coatings available
- Driver: USB compatible TAG Optics Driving Kit and software provides computer controlled operation
- Compatible Wavelengths: Ultraviolet, Visible, Infra Red, Mid-Infra Red