Author :
Aschwanden, M. ; Beck, Markus ; Stemmer, Andreas
Abstract :
A technology for the implementation of electrically tunable optical elements is presented. We illustrate, on the example of a transmission grating (TG), that dielectric elastomer actuators can be used to continuously adjust the properties of diffractive optical elements. The demonstrated TG operates with high transmission, low optical distortion (<lambda/20), high damage threshold (>93 kW/cm2), is polarization-independent, and achieves a very large tuning range (7.5% grating period compression). Extending the presented technology to other optical elements, including lenses, phase shifters, or intensity filters, is expected to result in a wide range of electrically tunable optical devices.
Keywords :
adaptive optics; diffraction gratings; diffractive optical elements; elastomers; electric actuators; light transmission; optical fabrication; optical polymers; dielectric elastomer actuator; diffractive optical elements; diffractive transmission grating; electrically tunable optical elements; intensity filters; lenses; phase shifters; Actuators; Dielectrics; Diffraction gratings; Lenses; Optical devices; Optical diffraction; Optical distortion; Optical filters; Optical polarization; Optical tuning; Adaptive optics; beam steering; dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA); diffraction; tunable grating;
