Title :
A tunable hydrogel microlens array with light-switching capability
Author :
Ding, Zhenwen ; Ziaie, Babak
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys., Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN, USA
Abstract :
This paper demonstrates a two step casting process to fabricate a bi-functional hydrogel-based microlens array which responds to both temperature (becomes opaque above certain temperature) and pH (changes its focal length at different pH levels) and can be operated in air for an extended period of time. Each lens in the array is 1 mm in diameter and its focal length changes from 4.5 to 55 mm when the environmental pH is varied between 2.0 and 5.0. The light-switching capability is measured to be ~ 92% when temperature increases from 25 to 35degC.
Keywords :
casting; hydrogels; micro-optomechanical devices; microfabrication; microlenses; microswitches; optical arrays; optical fabrication; optical switches; optical tuning; pH; environmental pH; light-switching capability; microfabrication; temperature 25 C to 35 C; tunable hydrogel microlens array; two-step casting process; Casting; Etching; Fabrication; Glass; Lenses; Microoptics; Optical arrays; Photodetectors; Physics; Plasma temperature; Hydrogel; Microlens array; Smart material;
Conference_Titel :
Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Conference, 2009. TRANSDUCERS 2009. International
Conference_Location :
Denver, CO
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4190-7
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4193-8
DOI :
10.1109/SENSOR.2009.5285369
