Box 3. Performance metrics

The technical specifications of Varioptic's Arctic 320 autofocus fluid lens, which is now commercially available:

Dimensions: 10.5 mm (diameter) 2.5 mm (thickness)

Pupil diameter: 3 mm

Focal range: >20 dioptres

Wavefront error: <0.5 m r.m.s.

Transmittance: >90%

Driving voltage: 0 to 60 V r.m.s. at 1 kHz

Operation temperature: -40 to +85°C

Operating cycles: >1 million

Response time: typically 100 ms

Electrical power dissipation: typically <1 mW