Electrowetting driven optical switch and tunable aperture

• DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.015525
• Publication Date: 2011-07-28T22:09:18Z
• Authors: C. U. Murade; J. M. Oh; D. van den Ende; F. Mugele
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences

We demonstrate an electrowetting based optical switch with tunable aperture. Under the influence of an electric field a non-transparent oil film can be replaced locally by a transparent water drop creating an aperture through which light can pass. Its diameter can be tuned between 0.2 and 1.2 mm by varying the driving voltage or frequency. The on and off response time of the switch is in the order of 2 and 120 ms respectively. Finally we demonstrate an array of switchable apertures that can be tuned independently or simultaneously.