Tunable liquid microlens arrays actuated by infrared light-responsive graphene microsheets

Abstract

In this work, liquid microlens arrays are fabricated by the template assisted liquid self-assembly method and the corresponding focus adjustment is realized by the photothermal conversion of graphene microsheets. Under the infrared laser irradiation, the deposited graphene microsheets layer can convert the light energy into thermal energy, which can increase the temperature of liquid microlens and induce the change of the lenslet curvature. As a result, the liquid microlens array can realize a reversible and programmable focus by selectively confining infrared laser to an expectant region. In contrast with traditional microlens arrays, graphene-based liquid microlens arrays are versatile and practicable with the advantages of non-contact actuation, remote and local control, and omitted connecting wires and electrodes. All these excellent advantages make the graphene-based microlens arrays available for remote-driven optoelectronic applications.