Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, Volume. 56, Issue 16, 162201(2019)

Beam Steering Control of Liquid Prism Array Based on Electrowetting-on-Dielectric in Three-Dimensional Space

Longxiao Yang, Rui Zhao*, Meimei Kong, Tao Chen, Jianfei Guan, and Zhongcheng Liang
Author Affiliations
  • Center of Optofluidic Technology, College of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjng, Jiangsu 210023, China
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    To control the light steering direction in three-dimensional space, a liquid prism array system based on electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) is proposed. According to the geometrical optics and EWOD theory, the relationships among the beam steering angle, maximum beam steering angle, EWOD contact angle, interval between adjacent prisms, and liquid refractive index are analyzed and discussed. A theoretical model of an EWOD liquid prism array is constructed in COMSOL. Then, the evolution of the double liquid interface in the liquid prism unit is simulated under different voltages. The beam steering control characteristics of the liquid prism array are simulated. Results demonstrate that the EWOD based liquid prism array can realize continuous beam steering control in a certain range. By selecting a specific combination of liquids, the saturation contact angle can decrease to 45°, and consequently the range of beam steering angle for the liquid prism unit reaches 28° (from -14° to 14°). As the optical axis spacing r is set to 6 mm, the steering region of the liquid prism array system is in a conical region whose apex angle is 28°, and the corresponding vertex of the cone is located at Z=22.58 mm in the Z-axis.

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    Longxiao Yang, Rui Zhao, Meimei Kong, Tao Chen, Jianfei Guan, Zhongcheng Liang. Beam Steering Control of Liquid Prism Array Based on Electrowetting-on-Dielectric in Three-Dimensional Space[J]. Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2019, 56(16): 162201

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    Paper Information

    Category: Optical Design and Fabrication

    Received: Jan. 22, 2019

    Accepted: Mar. 22, 2019

    Published Online: Aug. 5, 2019

    The Author Email: Zhao Rui (zhaor@njupt.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.3788/LOP56.162201

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