Optomechanical limits of tubular optofluidics
Final Report Abstract
The objective of this project was to research the optical performance limits of all-liquid optofluidic imaging systems. Based on the results of this research, several optical demonstrators were conceived, including optical imaging systems with reduced actuation voltage; a rotatable prism with simultaneous beam shaping; and an optical imaging component with control of higher-order aberrations. The tubular optofluidic technology used and further developed in this project was based on controlled manipulation of numerous immiscible liquids, with precisely defined refractive indices and densities, packaged in a completely fluid-filled cylindrical tube. Actuation and controlled deformation of the optical interfaces was accomplished using electrowetting, and was controlled by applied voltages on a structured foil on the inside surface of the tube. Key to enhanced aberration control and a more precise manipulation of the liquid phase fronts for high-spatial-frequency wavefront modulation was the realization of a high electrode density inside this fluidic tube. Detailed analysis of the hydrostatics of the system were undertaken and a detailed design of the liquid/liquid and liquid/surface interfaces allowed realization of a system with 64 azimuthally-distributed electrodes. This system was subsequently used to determine the limits to high-spatial-frequency definition of the optical phase fronts. For high-speed actuation of fluidic imaging and scanning systems, new liquid and dielectric interface materials were employed to optimize voltage and electric field distributions and reduce actuation time constants. As demonstrators for high-performance all-liquid imaging and scanning systems, a 360-degree optical scanner with no mechanically-moving parts and integrated optical beam shaping and an aberration-corrected tunable lens systems were realized.
Publications
-
Accelerated electrowetting-based tunable fluidic lenses. Optics Express, 29(10), 15733.
Zhao, Pengpeng; Li, Yang & Zappe, Hans
-
Simultaneous beam steering and shaping using a single-interface optofluidic component. Journal of Optical Microsystems, 1(04).
Sauter, Daniel; Sieben, Merit; Zhao, Pengpeng & Zappe, Hans
-
Tunable fluidic lens with a dynamic high-order aberration control. Applied Optics, 60(18), 5302.
Zhao, Pengpeng; Sauter, Daniel & Zappe, Hans
-
Design of an all-liquid anamorphic imaging device. EPJ Web of Conferences, 266, 12006.
Sauter, Daniel; Zhao, Pengpeng & Zappe, Hans
