Antireflective structures on highly flexible and large area elastomer membrane for tunable liquid-filled endoscopic lens

Abstract

The antireflection coating on an optical lens plays a key role not only in minimizing specular reflection but also in maximizing light transmission. Antireflective structures (ARS) found in the eyes of moths have the same role as conventional antireflection coating, and they also provide many intriguing features such as broadband coverage, self-antireflection, and strong water repellence. In particular, ARS on a highly flexible membrane can effectively deliver antireflective properties, which are rarely achieved by conventional hard coating. Herein, we report antireflective structures on a highly flexible elastomeric lens membrane for tunable endoscopic imaging applications. A thin antireflective membrane was fabricated using a large-area nanohole template and replica molding. The thin membrane increases light transmittance up to 96.8% in the visible region while enhancing the image contrast up to 56%, higher than that of a smooth membrane during lens deformation. This antireflective, tunable, liquid-filled lens offers new opportunities for compact endoscopic laparoscopy enabling maximum transmittance and variable zoom imaging in narrow and low-illumination environments.