Adaptive microlens array based on electrically charged polyvinyl chloride/dibutyl phthalate gel

We prepared an adaptive microlens array (MLA) using a polyvinyl chloride/dibutyl phthalate gel and an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) glass substrate. The gel forms a membrane on the glass substrate and the ITO electrode has a ring array pattern. When the membrane is electrically charged by a DC voltage, the surface of the membrane above each circular electrode in the ring array can be deformed with a convex shape. As a result, the membrane functions as an MLA. By applying a voltage from 20 to similar to 65 V to the electrode, the focal length of each microlens can be tuned from 300 to similar to 160 mu m. The dynamic response time can by reduced largely by changing the polarity of the DC voltage. Due to the advantages of optical isotropy, compact structure, and good stability, our MLA has potential applications in imaging, biometrics, and electronic displays. (C) 2016 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)