TAG Optics is a specialty lens manufacturing company which develops and produces custom built tunable acoustic gradient index lenses. These state-of-the-art lenses are based on proprietary technology, have the ability to change focus in sub-micro seconds and can be used in combination with many devices.

Located in Princeton NJ, TAG Optics works closely with its customers such that each lens is built to fit the client's particular needs; whether it be satisfying particular wavelength restrictions or specific lens coating.

Technology Overview

TAG Optics' patented technology uses piezoelectrics to generate sound in the liquid, resulting in an index of refraction profile that behaves like a simple aspheric lens element. However unlike many static devices that rely on the deformation of a surface or interface, the TAG Lens is more properly thought of as a tunable GRIN device that does not require any redistribution of liquid to change its optical properties. Therefore the TAG Lens can scan over a complete range of focal lengths in only microseconds, orders of magnitude faster than other liquid lenses on the market.

Furthermore, the aspheric nature of the index of refraction profile means the TAG Lens not only provides a rapidly tunable focal element, but one with little to no spherical aberration. TAG Optics has engineered the TAG Lens 2.0 to be compact, portable, and to requires only a sinusoidal RF input (30-1000 kHz) easily provided by a benchtop or computer-controlled frequency generator like TAG Optics’ USB Driving Kit. More details on the operating principles behind the TAG Lens can be found in the various publication and technical material.

TAG Lens Overview

The TAG Lens is a computer controlled adaptive lens with the ability to rapidly change focus for any user defined applications. is a tunable ultra high-speed device that uses sound to change the property of light. This gives it the ability to rapidly change focal lengths or readily modulate beams with sub micro-second resolution. TAG Lens

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.