Optofluidic varifocal lens actuated by dielectric elastomer sandwiched by two conductive liquids with different refractive indexes

Qun Hao, Chuanxun Chen, Zhikuo Li, Jie Cao, Yang Cheng*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

To improve the focus tunability and reduce the difficulties in fabrication, we present a novel optofluidic varifocal lens actuated by dielectric elastomer sandwiched by two conductive liquids with different refractive indexes. The lens has a compact structure: two grid frames, two passive membranes, a dielectric elastomer actuator membrane, and two conductive liquids. Two cavities of the varifocal lens are filled with different conductive liquids. The conductive liquids are not only employed as the material of the optofluidic varifocal lens because of their high transparency but also work as the compliant electrode of the dielectric elastomer actuator membrane due to their conductibility. The results experiments show that the focal length variation of the lens is greater than 100%, the response time is approximately 75 ms. The lens is free from the compliant electrodeswhich greatly reduces the difficulties in fabrication.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvanced Optical Imaging Technologies IV
EditorsXiao-Cong Yuan, P. Scott Carney, Kebin Shi
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510646414
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
EventAdvanced Optical Imaging Technologies IV 2021 - Nantong, China
Duration: 10 Oct 202111 Oct 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume11896
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceAdvanced Optical Imaging Technologies IV 2021
Country/TerritoryChina
CityNantong
Period10/10/2111/10/21

Keywords

  • Compact structure
  • Conductive liquids
  • Dielectric elastomer
  • Optofluidic varifocal lens

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