Abstract
In this letter, we demonstrate a two step casting process to fabricate a bifunctional hydrogel-based microlens array, which responds to both temperature (becomes opaque above certain temperature) and pH (changes its focal length at different pH levels), and can be operated in air for an extended period of time. Each lens in the array is 1 mm in diameter and its focal length changes from 4.5 to 55 mm when the environmental pH is varied between 2.0 and 5.0. The light-switching capability is measured to be similar to 92% when temperature increases from 25 to 35 degrees C.
Keywords
casting; hydrogels; microfabrication; microlenses; optical arrays; optical fabrication; optical polymers; optical switches; optical tuning; pH; thermo-optical devices
Citation
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 94, 081111 (2009)
Date of this Version
2-23-2009
Recommended Citation
Deng, Zhenwen and Ziaie, Babak, "A pH-tunable hydrogel microlens array with temperature-actuated light-switching capability" (2009). Birck and NCN Publications. Paper 377.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/nanopub/377