US Patent 10274805 Polarization-independent switchable lens system

Energized lens systems and methods of fabricating an energized lens system which can be switched from one polarization-independent focal length to another polarization-independent focal length. The energized lens system can include a 90 degree twisted nematic liquid crystal layer with curved boundaries, and with transparent conductive electrodes which allow the application of an electric field to switch the focal length of the twisted nematic liquid crystal layer. The focal length of the energized lens system can be independent of the polarization of light in both of its two states, and only one liquid crystal layer of the energized lens system needs to be switched in order for the focal length of the energized lens system to be switched.