Investigation of the Performance Potential for Arrayed Electrowetting Microprisms
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
2009
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1251229642 |
| id |
ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin1251229642 |
|---|---|
| record_format |
oai_dc |
| spelling |
ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin12512296422021-08-03T06:13:37Z Investigation of the Performance Potential for Arrayed Electrowetting Microprisms Smith, Neil R. Electrical Engineering Electrowetting Microprism Array Microlens Array <p>As technology advances, the need for the agile optics is only increasing. Agile optics are essential for such applications as electronic paper, lightweight beam deflection (heads-up displays and laser-radar), light harvesting, free-space laser communication, cell phone cameras, and 3-D holographic displays, to name a few. In state of the art cell phones, the optical elements for the camera are required to be both robust and have variable focus. While Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Liquid Crystal based technologies are already being employed to produce such optical elements, they have been unable to produce the same characteristics found in modern solid optics (i.e. transmission, polarization free and high numerical aperture).</p> <p>A liquid electro-optical device based on electrowetting is an alternate technology that has great promise to replicate the performance of solid geometrical optics. Electrowetting is voltage-induced manipulation of small drops of polar liquids placed on a dielectric surface. This technology is already being employed in cell phone technologies to create robust, variable focus liquid lens systems. Lenses are not the only geometrical shapes, which can be formed using electrowetting. Beam steering elements can also be formed by replicating prism geometry. This thesis is dedicated to early stage pursuit of electrowetting prisms for beam and image steering.</p><p>Presented in this dissertation is the demonstration of the first electrowetting beam steering devices. Along with the demonstration of the beam steering device, the several factors that need to be considered when working with flat electrowetting optical systems are also explored. This includes an investigation of the fundamental performance limits (speed, voltage, temperature, optical absorption, reliability, fabrication) of an electrowetting beam steering system. Topics included in this dissertation are the 3D fabrication techniques for microlens and microprism arrays in two types of permanent epoxies. Electrowetting materials (dielectrics, fluoropolymers, conductive liquids and nonconductive liquids) are also investigated. This investigation includes electrowetting performance evaluations, as well as electrical breakdown studies. Once the materials have been chosen, the physical and performance limits (switching speed, longevity of electrowetting systems, and thermal tolerances) of the electrowetting materials are investigated. Finally, two electrowetting devices (microlens and microprism arrays) are demonstrated, along with the performance of each device. While this dissertation is not a comprehensive investigation of electrowetting microlens and microprism arrays, it has established the foundation required for the pursuit of large area, electrowetting optical arrays.</p> 2009 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1251229642 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1251229642 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Electrical Engineering Electrowetting Microprism Array Microlens Array |
| spellingShingle |
Electrical Engineering Electrowetting Microprism Array Microlens Array Smith, Neil R. Investigation of the Performance Potential for Arrayed Electrowetting Microprisms |
| author |
Smith, Neil R. |
| author_facet |
Smith, Neil R. |
| author_sort |
Smith, Neil R. |
| title |
Investigation of the Performance Potential for Arrayed Electrowetting Microprisms |
| title_short |
Investigation of the Performance Potential for Arrayed Electrowetting Microprisms |
| title_full |
Investigation of the Performance Potential for Arrayed Electrowetting Microprisms |
| title_fullStr |
Investigation of the Performance Potential for Arrayed Electrowetting Microprisms |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Investigation of the Performance Potential for Arrayed Electrowetting Microprisms |
| title_sort |
investigation of the performance potential for arrayed electrowetting microprisms |
| publisher |
University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2009 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1251229642 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT smithneilr investigationoftheperformancepotentialforarrayedelectrowettingmicroprisms |
| _version_ |
1719433059253616640 |