Vari-focal liquid microlens array using an electrically responsive fluid actuated by a ring array patterned electrode

A transparent fluid dibutyl adipate (DBA) is suitable for fabricating the adaptive lens due to its unique deformation under a direct current (DC) electric field. In this report, a DBA liquid microlens array (LMA) with a tunable focal length is demonstrated. A hydrophobic layer deposited in the ring array patterns on the electrode induced the for-mation of the DBA liquid microdroplets array self-assembly. The electronegative DBA liquid tends to move to the anode at a DC voltage. The proposed DBA LMA with a diameter of 100 mu m can change its focal length from 0.92 to 1.42 mm when the voltage changes from 0 to 200 V. The response time is relatively fast (similar to 790 ms). Due to the high optical transmittance (similar to 91%) and good thermal stability in the temperature range of -24.8-161.5 degrees C, our DBA LMA shows good focusing properties and has potential applications in the field of image processing, portable elec-tronic devices, beam steering, ophthalmology, and 3D displays. (c) 2022 Optica Publishing Group

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a DBA liquid microlens array (LMA) with a tunable focal length, which utilizes the unique deformation of DBA fluid under a direct current electric field to form self-assembled droplet arrays. The DBA LMA has a fast response time, high optical transmittance, and good thermal stability, making it suitable for applications in image processing, portable electronic devices, beam steering, ophthalmology, and 3D displays.