Polyphenyl thioether (and synthesis path) for use in liquid lenses
A liquid lens fluid composition includes a polyphenyl ether molecule having from 2 to 7 aromatic rings, where the rings include ortho substitutions, meta substitutions, or a combination of ortho, meta, and para substitutions. Inter-ring linkages may include sulfur or oxygen. The liquid lens fluid composition may be characterized by a refractive index over the visible spectrum of at least 1.4, a viscosity at room temperature of less than approximately 1000 cP, and a freezing point of less than approximately −10° C.
1. A liquid lens fluid composition comprising:
a polyphenyl ether molecule having from 2 to 7 aromatic rings, wherein the aromatic rings comprise ortho substitutions, meta substitutions, a combination of ortho and meta substitutions, or a combination of ortho, meta, and para substitutions, and one or more inter-ring linkages comprise sulfur.
2. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 1 , wherein all the inter-ring linkages comprise sulfur.
3. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition consists essentially of ortho substitutions.
4. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition consists essentially of meta substitutions.
5. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 1 , characterized by a refractive index over the visible spectrum of at least approximately 1.4.
6. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 1 , characterized by a viscosity of less than approximately 1000 cP at 25° C. and a freezing point of less than approximately −10° C.
7. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyphenyl ether molecule is substituted with an aliphatic group or a halogen element selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
8. A liquid lens fluid composition comprising:
a polyphenyl thioether molecule having from 2 to 7 aromatic rings, wherein all the rings comprise ortho substitutions or meta substitutions.
9. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 8 , wherein the composition consists essentially of ortho substitutions.
10. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 8 , wherein the composition consists essentially of meta substitutions.
11. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 8 , characterized by a refractive index over the visible spectrum of at least approximately 1.4.
12. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 8 , characterized by a viscosity of less than approximately 1000 cP at 25° C. and a freezing point of less than approximately −10° C.
13. The liquid lens fluid composition of claim 8 , wherein the polyphenyl thioether molecule is substituted with an aliphatic group or a halogen element selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
14. A variable focus lens comprising:
a transparent wall member;
a transparent distensible membrane located over at least a portion of the transparent wall member; and
a layer of a liquid lens fluid composition located between the wall member and the distensible membrane, wherein the liquid lens fluid composition comprises a polyphenyl ether molecule having from 2 to 7 aromatic rings, the rings having ortho substitutions, meta substitutions, a combination of ortho and meta substitutions, or a combination of ortho, meta, and para substitutions.
15. The variable focus lens of claim 14 , wherein the distensible membrane comprises a oleophobic surface facing the liquid lens fluid and the liquid lens fluid is oleophilic.
16. The variable focus lens of claim 14 , wherein the composition consists essentially of ortho substitutions.
17. The variable focus lens of claim 14 , wherein the composition consists essentially of meta substitutions.
18. The variable focus lens of claim 14 , wherein the polyphenyl ether molecule is substituted with an aliphatic group or a halogen element selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
19. The variable focus lens of claim 14 , wherein the liquid lens fluid composition comprises a polyphenyl thioether molecule.
20. The variable focus lens of claim 14 , wherein the liquid lens fluid is characterized by a refractive index over the visible spectrum of at least approximately 1.4, a viscosity of less than approximately 1000 cP at 25° C., and a freezing point of less than approximately −10° C.