• Chinese Journal of Lasers
  • Vol. 42, Issue 6, 616002 (2015)
Yao Lixiao*, Wang Qionghua, Liu Chao, and Wang Minghuan
Author Affiliations
  • [in Chinese]
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    DOI: 10.3788/cjl201542.0616002 Cite this Article Set citation alerts
    Yao Lixiao, Wang Qionghua, Liu Chao, Wang Minghuan. Optical Switch Based on Electrowetting Liquid Prism[J]. Chinese Journal of Lasers, 2015, 42(6): 616002 Copy Citation Text show less

    Abstract

    Optical switch is an important part of a multi-path electronic switch. We propose an optical switch based on a liquid prism. The device consists of a liquid prism and a non-transparent diaphragm with two holes. In initial state, the liquid-liquid surface shows a shape of the positive lens, the incident light can be focused through the liquid cell and then be blocked by the aperture slot. At this time, the device shows light-off state. When a voltage is applied to one side of the liquid prism, the device shows light-on state. Meanwhile, when voltage is applied to both sides of the sidewall electrodes, the liquid-liquid surface presents the shape of a negative lens and the incident light divergence occurs. At this time, the device expresses the both light- on state. Our experiments show that the proposed device has faster response time (rise time: ~85 ms; fall time: ~140 ms) and higher optical attenuation (~965:1) in adaptive liquid optical switches. The device has potential application in light shutters, variable optical attenuators and optical routers.
    Yao Lixiao, Wang Qionghua, Liu Chao, Wang Minghuan. Optical Switch Based on Electrowetting Liquid Prism[J]. Chinese Journal of Lasers, 2015, 42(6): 616002
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