Adaptive beam tracking and steering via electrowetting-controlled liquid prism

Journal Article · Mon Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3660578· OSTI ID:1211300

Cheng, JT; Chen, CL

We report an electrowetting-controlled optofluidic system for adaptive beam tracking and agile steering. With two immiscible fluids in a transparent cell, we can actively control the contact angle along the fluid-fluid-solid tri-junction line and hence the orientation of the fluid-fluid interface via electrowetting. The naturally formed meniscus between the two liquids can function as an optical prism. We have fabricated a liquid prism module with an aperture size of 10 mm -10mm. With 1 wt.% KCl and 1 wt.% Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate added into deionized water, the orientation of the water-silicone oil interface has been modulated between -26 degrees and 26 degrees that can deflect and steer beam within the incidence angle of 0 degrees-15 degrees. The wide-range beam tracking and steering enables the liquid prism work as an electrowetting solar cell. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3660578]

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AR0000139
• OSTI ID: 1211300
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 99, Issue 19; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English