Supervisor: Jan Arlt

Liquid Crystal (LC) lenses are a revolutionary technology that allows focus adjustment without moving mechanical parts. These lenses use the unique properties of liquid crystals, which can rotate under electric field. This makes it possible to control the focal length dynamically, creating compact, energy-efficient, and highly precise optical systems. LC lenses are already finding use in imaging, telecommunications, and augmented/virtual reality devices. In this talk, I will explain how liquid crystals work, how electric fields adjust their orientation to modify the lens’s optical power, and why this is so useful for modern optical devices. I will demonstrate key applications in imaging and in AR/VR headsets. Finally, I will discuss current challenges, including slow response times and light scattering in LC lenses, and will share insights into ongoing research aimed to make LC lenses even more versatile and effective.