Microfluidic fabrication with silver nanowires for optofluidic structures with three-dimensional operation

Abstract

With the current design of modern optical lens technology, the optical parameters and field-of-view are restricted, preventing maximum functionality. Such restrictions can be mitigated with the implementation of a three-dimensional compound-eye lens, however, the fabrication of this three-dimensional compound-eye lens is associated with several challenges. Such challenges include the development of a semi-transparent and flexible electrode material and the operation and adherence of out-of-plane optofluidic lenses to oblique interfaces. This work addresses these challenges through two experimental analyses. The first experimental analysis is a study of silver nanowires with feature size of approximately 90 nm for use as a flexible and semi-transparent electrode material, and the effects of filtering and processing methods on the electrode sheet resistance. With optimal preparation of the silver nanowires, the fabricated electrode is seen to have favourable properties for this application. The second experimental analysis is a study of the optimal hydrophobic coating for minimal hysteresis and the optical operation of out-of-plane optofluidic lenses situated on oblique interfaces, as is required for peripheral out-of-plane optofluidic lenses in a three-dimensional compound-eye lens. The out-of-plane optofluidic lenses are seen to have favourable operation and voltage control with minimal hysteresis. The results show promise towards development of wide field-of-view systems with tunable optical parameters.