A photo-switchable and photo-tunable microlens based on chiral liquid crystals

Abstract

We demonstrate a photo-switchable and photo-tunable microlens based on chiral liquid crystals doped with an azobenzene chiral dopant immersed in water. A bi-stable microlens, which can be switched between a focusing state and scattering state through UV or green light, has been fabricated. The tuning properties of the microlens have also been demonstrated under light illumination. This bi-stable microlens possesses features including simple fabrication, low-cost, photo-switchability, and photo-tunability, and shows potential applications in dynamic imaging systems, biomimetic devices, wave-front sensors, micro-displays, light shaping etc.