Fabrication of large micro-structured high-numerical-aperture optofluidic compound eyes with tunable angle of view.

Abstract

A large optofluidic compound eye is developed by using a straightforward, rapid, and low-cost technique. The compound eye's angle of view can be adjusted by injecting deionized water/calcium chloride solution of different volume into the optofluidic chip. Optofluidic compound eyes containing about 78,000 microlenses of 50 μm diameter are fabricated for analysis. The angle of view can be tuned up to 104°. With the compound eye's deformation, the microlenses' focal length increases, due to the variation in profile. Owing to the non-uniform strain over the compound eye, the central lenses experience more variation. Furthermore, optical imaging of the compound eye is demonstrated and sharp images can be obtained from the omnidirectional microlenses.