Department of Polymer Nano-Science and Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-756, South Korea.
Opt Lett. 2010 Nov 15;35(22):3826-8. doi: 10.1364/OL.35.003826.
An optical switch based on a deformable liquid droplet is demonstrated. The device consists of a clear liquid droplet surrounded by a black liquid. In the voltage-off state, the incident light is absorbed by the black liquid. As the voltage increases, the dielectric force reshapes the droplet by uplifting its dome. As the dome touches the top substrate, a clear channel is opened, allowing the incident light to pass through. Once the voltage is removed, the deformed droplet relaxes back to its original shape and the channel is closed. Devices based on such an operation mechanism have potential applications in light shutters, variable optical attenuators, adaptive irises, and displays.
展示了一种基于可变形液滴的光开关。该器件由一个透明液滴和一个黑色液体组成。在电压关闭状态下，入射光被黑色液体吸收。随着电压的增加，介电力通过提升其圆顶来重塑液滴。当圆顶接触到顶基板时，一个透明的通道就会打开，允许入射光通过。一旦电压被移除，变形的液滴就会恢复到原来的形状，通道关闭。基于这种操作机制的器件在光闸、可变光衰减器、自适应虹膜和显示器等方面有潜在的应用。
