Optofluidic lenses with horizonta to-vertica aspect ratios in the subunit regime

Elliptical optofluidic lenses can provide tunable optical parameters in different optical planes. This tunability is achieved through modifications to the aspect ratio (AR). We present an optofluidic lens with a subunit AR. In our experimental analysis, we alter the shape of the microdroplet and observe a 10% reduction in the AR on applying a high voltage across the microdroplet. In our theoretical analysis, we observe improved tunability of focal length, longitudinal spherical aberration, and beans cone angle in the subunit AR regime compared to the superunit AR regime. We ultimately test and characterize the optofluidic lens in an imaging application. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America