Reconfigurable and responsive droplet-based compound micro-lenses

Sara Nagelberg, Lauren D. Zarzar, Natalie Nicolas, Kaushikaram Subramanian, Julia A. Kalow, Vishnu Sresht, Daniel Blankschtein, George Barbastathis, Moritz Kreysing, Timothy M. Swager and Mathias Kolle ()
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Sara Nagelberg: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lauren D. Zarzar: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Natalie Nicolas: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Kaushikaram Subramanian: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Julia A. Kalow: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Vishnu Sresht: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Daniel Blankschtein: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
George Barbastathis: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Moritz Kreysing: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Timothy M. Swager: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mathias Kolle: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Micro-scale optical components play a crucial role in imaging and display technology, biosensing, beam shaping, optical switching, wavefront-analysis, and device miniaturization. Herein, we demonstrate liquid compound micro-lenses with dynamically tunable focal lengths. We employ bi-phase emulsion droplets fabricated from immiscible hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon liquids to form responsive micro-lenses that can be reconfigured to focus or scatter light, form real or virtual images, and display variable focal lengths. Experimental demonstrations of dynamic refractive control are complemented by theoretical analysis and wave-optical modelling. Additionally, we provide evidence of the micro-lenses’ functionality for two potential applications—integral micro-scale imaging devices and light field display technology—thereby demonstrating both the fundamental characteristics and the promising opportunities for fluid-based dynamic refractive micro-scale compound lenses.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14673

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