Environment-adaptive variable-focus liquid microlenses

Abstract

Variable-focus microlenses have the potential for miniaturizing optical systems since they do not rely on manual positioning of the microlens. Previous variable-focus microlenses generally have small tuning range of focal lengths and/or require additional control systems. Here, inspired by human eye’s lens, we realize environment-adaptive variable-focus liquid microlenses by combining the advantages of stimuli-responsive hydrogels and pinned liquid-liquid interfaces at the microscale. These microlenses have a large focal length tuning range (-∞ to +∞; divergent – convergent) and do not require additional control.