Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid Droplet
We report an infrared (IR) optical switch using a wedge-like cell. A glycerol droplet is placed in the cell and its surrounding is filled with silicone oil. The droplet has minimal surface area to volume (SA/V) ratio in the relaxing state. By applying a voltage, the generated dielectric force pulls...
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doaj-a32da4c376534301abfb47342af252c52020-11-24T21:24:58ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2015-01-016218619510.3390/mi6020186mi6020186Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid DropletMiao Xu0Xiahui Wang1Boya Jin2Hongwen Ren3BK Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team, Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, KoreaBK Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team, Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, KoreaBK Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team, Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, KoreaBK Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team, Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, KoreaWe report an infrared (IR) optical switch using a wedge-like cell. A glycerol droplet is placed in the cell and its surrounding is filled with silicone oil. The droplet has minimal surface area to volume (SA/V) ratio in the relaxing state. By applying a voltage, the generated dielectric force pulls the droplet to move toward the region with thinner cell gap. As a result, the droplet is deformed by the substrates, causing the SA/V of the droplet to increase. When the voltage is removed, the droplet can return to its original place in order to minimize the surface energy. Owing to the absorption of glycerol at 1.55 μm, the shifted droplet can be used to attenuate an IR beam with the advantage of polarization independent. Fluidic devices based on this operation mechanism have potential applications in optical fiber switches, IR shutter, and variable optical attenuations.http://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/6/2/186liquid dropletdielectric forceoptical switchattenuation ratio |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Miao Xu Xiahui Wang Boya Jin Hongwen Ren |
spellingShingle |
Miao Xu Xiahui Wang Boya Jin Hongwen Ren Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid Droplet Micromachines liquid droplet dielectric force optical switch attenuation ratio |
author_facet |
Miao Xu Xiahui Wang Boya Jin Hongwen Ren |
author_sort |
Miao Xu |
title |
Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid Droplet |
title_short |
Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid Droplet |
title_full |
Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid Droplet |
title_fullStr |
Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid Droplet |
title_full_unstemmed |
Infrared Optical Switch Using a Movable Liquid Droplet |
title_sort |
infrared optical switch using a movable liquid droplet |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Micromachines |
issn |
2072-666X |
publishDate |
2015-01-01 |
description |
We report an infrared (IR) optical switch using a wedge-like cell. A glycerol droplet is placed in the cell and its surrounding is filled with silicone oil. The droplet has minimal surface area to volume (SA/V) ratio in the relaxing state. By applying a voltage, the generated dielectric force pulls the droplet to move toward the region with thinner cell gap. As a result, the droplet is deformed by the substrates, causing the SA/V of the droplet to increase. When the voltage is removed, the droplet can return to its original place in order to minimize the surface energy. Owing to the absorption of glycerol at 1.55 μm, the shifted droplet can be used to attenuate an IR beam with the advantage of polarization independent. Fluidic devices based on this operation mechanism have potential applications in optical fiber switches, IR shutter, and variable optical attenuations. |
topic |
liquid droplet dielectric force optical switch attenuation ratio |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/6/2/186 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT miaoxu infraredopticalswitchusingamovableliquiddroplet AT xiahuiwang infraredopticalswitchusingamovableliquiddroplet AT boyajin infraredopticalswitchusingamovableliquiddroplet AT hongwenren infraredopticalswitchusingamovableliquiddroplet |
_version_ |
1725985770144006144 |