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Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

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Tunable two-dimensional liquid gradient refractive index (L-GRIN) lens for variable light focusing.

Hua Huang¹, Xiaole Mao, Sz-Chin Steven Lin

¹Department of Microelectronics, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.

|August 11, 2010

Summary

We developed a tunable 2D liquid gradient refractive index (L-GRIN) lens for variable light focusing. This microfluidic device uses fluid diffusion to create a hyperbolic secant refractive index gradient, enabling tunable focal length for optics-based lab-on-a-chip applications.

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Area of Science:

Optics and Photonics
Microfluidics
Materials Science

Background:

Gradient refractive index (GRIN) lenses offer unique optical properties.
Tunable lenses are crucial for adaptive optical systems and miniaturized devices.
Microfluidic platforms enable precise control over fluid dynamics and material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To report a novel two-dimensional (2D) tunable liquid gradient refractive index (L-GRIN) lens.
To demonstrate variable focusing of light in the out-of-plane direction using the L-GRIN lens.
To explore the potential of this L-GRIN lens in lab-on-a-chip applications.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of a microfluidic chamber for establishing a 2D refractive index gradient.
Utilizing diffusion between calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution and deionized (DI) water to create a hyperbolic secant (HS) refractive index profile.
Tuning the focal length by adjusting the flow rate ratio of the two fluids.

Main Results:

Successfully created a 2D HS refractive index gradient within the microfluidic lens.
Demonstrated variable light focusing in the out-of-plane direction.
Experimental results from image analysis closely matched ray-tracing optical simulations.

Conclusions:

The 2D L-GRIN lens offers a simple, tunable, and low-fluid-consumption method for variable light focusing.
The lens is compatible with existing microfluidic devices, suggesting broad applicability.
Further optimization could lead to widespread use in optics-based lab-on-a-chip systems.