Tubular Optofluidics

在管状光流体的头两年里，证明了管状几何的三维光流体系统是可行的。可调镜头；可调节散光的透镜；研制并演示了旋转流体棱镜和扫描仪。在这个为期一年的后续研究项目中，我们建议进一步研究和开发管状光流体的两个方面，即可调孔径的加入和可调多元件变焦系统的设计和演示。在大多数光学系统中，光圈是一个重要的组成部分，而光圈直径的可调性对于可调系统是至关重要的。因此，计划在第一工作阶段使用电润湿调节的流体孔径，设计用于与先前实现的光流体元件集成。光圈将基于埋在管状箔中的电极，这是一种类似于透镜和棱镜的驱动结构。项目的最后一步是设计和实现一个功能齐全的多元件流体变焦系统，该系统使用在早期阶段开发的可调组件。这种多组分的光流体系统以前从未被证明过，它的成功实施将为全新形式的高度通用的光流体微系统提供基础。提出的概念将依赖于由电润湿驱动的可调谐光流体元件的集成。多组件系统，设计有两个可调流体透镜元件，将需要广泛的模拟和设计，使用分析建模和光线追踪模拟。制造一种先进的电极箔以及开发高度可控的液体加药工艺将是其实现的重要组成部分。完成后，可调的全液体光流体变焦系统将是同类产品中的第一个，展示了三维光流体技术的力量。

In the first two years of Tubular Optofluidics, it was shown that three dimensional optofluidic systems in a tubular geometry are feasible. A tunable lens; an astigmatism-tunable lens; and a rotational fluidic prism and scanner were developed and demonstrated.In this proposed one-year follow-up research project, we propose to research and develop two further aspects of Tubular Optofluidics, namely the incorporation of a tunable aperture and the design and demonstration of a tunable multi-element zoom system.An aperture is an essential component in most optical systems, and tunability of the aperture diameter is essential for tunable systems. For this reason, a fluidic aperture tuned by electrowetting is planned for the first work phase, designed to be integrated with the previously realized optofluidic elements. The aperture will be based on a buried electrode in the tubular foil, an actuation structure similar to that of the lens and prism. The final and crowning step for the project is then the design and realizationof a fully functional multi-element fluidic zoom system using the tunable components developed in the earlier stages. Such a multi-component optofluidic system has never been demonstrated previously and its successful implementation would provide the basis for entirely new forms of highly versatile optofluidic microsystems.The proposed concept will rely on the integration of the tunable optofluidic elements actuated by electrowetting. The multi-component system, designed with two tunable fluidic lens elements, will require extensive simulation and design, using analytical modeling as well as ray-tracing simulation. Fabrication of an advanced electrode foil as well as development of highly controlled liquid dosing processes will be essential parts of its realization. When completed, the tunable all-liquid optofluidic zoom system will be the first of its kind ever demonstrated, showing the power of three-dimensional optofluidic technology.