WO2003052476A1 - Dispositif optique comprenant un milieu optique liquide - Google Patents

Dispositif optique comprenant un milieu optique liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003052476A1
WO2003052476A1 PCT/EP2002/014382 EP0214382W WO03052476A1 WO 2003052476 A1 WO2003052476 A1 WO 2003052476A1 EP 0214382 W EP0214382 W EP 0214382W WO 03052476 A1 WO03052476 A1 WO 03052476A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
optical
optical device
liquid
ultraphobic
ultraphobic surface
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2002/014382
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Karsten Reihs
Original Assignee
Sunyx Surface Nanotechnologies Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sunyx Surface Nanotechnologies Gmbh filed Critical Sunyx Surface Nanotechnologies Gmbh
Priority to AU2002360994A priority Critical patent/AU2002360994A1/en
Publication of WO2003052476A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003052476A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
    • G02B26/004—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/3538—Optical coupling means having switching means based on displacement or deformation of a liquid
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/354—Switching arrangements, i.e. number of input/output ports and interconnection types
    • G02B6/3544—2D constellations, i.e. with switching elements and switched beams located in a plane
    • G02B6/3546—NxM switch, i.e. a regular array of switches elements of matrix type constellation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/3564—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details
    • G02B6/3568—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details characterised by the actuating force
    • G02B6/357—Electrostatic force
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/3564—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details
    • G02B6/3582—Housing means or package or arranging details of the switching elements, e.g. for thermal isolation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an optical device with at least one optical means, which consists of a liquid and which has at least one ultraphobic surface on which the optical means is displaceable.
  • N x M switching matrices which enable the connection of N-optical input channels to M-output channels (N, M> 2), are suitable for such tasks.
  • the matrix-like arrangement of the switching elements enables the number of input and output channels to be expanded using the same concept.
  • the object of the present invention was therefore to provide an optical device which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.
  • an optical device with at least one optical means which consists of a liquid and which has at least one ultraphobic surface on which the optical means can be displaced.
  • optical switch in which the optical means can be moved with almost no loss of friction and fluid and wear.
  • the optical device With the optical device, the optical means can be moved very quickly and precisely.
  • the optical device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • the liquid optical medium any liquid known to a person skilled in the art can be used as the liquid optical medium.
  • the means are preferably optical lenses or mirrors.
  • the liquid is preferably water.
  • liquids can preferably be used which are optically transparent at the wavelength of the light with which the optical switch is operated and preferably have a high surface tension.
  • the liquid is preferably a liquid which strongly wets out on an ultraphobic surface, a thin air film being formed between the liquid and the surface, on which an optical total reflection occurs, which can be used as a mirror.
  • water or oils on transparent ultraphobic surfaces are suitable, where the respective drop of liquid has a contact angle> 150 °.
  • the liquid, optical means are preferably shifted by electrical fields, which can preferably be generated by a grid of essentially uniformly distributed electrodes that can be controlled individually.
  • the electrodes can each be connected individually to an electrical voltage source with preferably 10 to 1000 V, particularly preferably 100 to 300 V, so that an electrical field can be generated with each electrode independently of the other electrodes.
  • the electrodes are preferably arranged at a distance of ⁇ 100 ⁇ m, particularly preferably ⁇ 50 ⁇ m and very preferably ⁇ 10 ⁇ m, and preferably have a dimension of 150 ⁇ m, particularly preferably ⁇ 70 ⁇ m and very particularly preferably ⁇ 20 ⁇ m.
  • the voltage source is preferably controlled by an automated control unit, for example a computer, and the individual electrodes are thus individually supplied with electrical voltage.
  • an automated control unit for example a computer
  • the computer determines which electrode is to be connected to an electrical voltage at what time and for how long. In this way it can be determined which path on the hydrophobic surface a liquid drop travels at which speed.
  • the control of the electrodes by the automated control unit can be changed at any time.
  • not only one but a plurality of electrodes preferably at least two, particularly preferably at least four electrodes, are controlled simultaneously.
  • two electrodes are actuated, these are preferably adjacent to one another and when four electrodes are actuated, they are preferably arranged in a carriage.
  • the electrodes are preferably arranged in the vicinity of the surface of a carrier.
  • This carrier is preferably covered with a film with an ultraphobic surface.
  • An ultraphobic surface in the sense of the invention is characterized in that the contact angle of a drop of water lying on the surface is more than 150 ° and the roll angle does not exceed 10 °.
  • the roll angle is understood to be the angle of inclination of a basically planar but structured surface against the horizontal, at which a standing water drop with a volume of 10 ⁇ l is moved due to the force of gravity when the surface is inclined.
  • ultraphobic surfaces are described, for example, in WO 98/23549, WO 96/04123, WO 96/21523, WO 00/39369, WO 00/39368, WO00 / 39239, WO 00/39051, WO 00/38845 and WO 96 / 34697, which are hereby introduced as a reference and are therefore considered part of the disclosure.
  • Such an ultraphobic Surface is described in international patent application WO 00/39240, which is hereby introduced as a reference and is therefore considered part of the disclosure.
  • the optical device can be any optical instrument known to those skilled in the art.
  • the optical device is preferably an optical switch in which one or more optical input channels are each switched to one of a plurality of optical output channels.
  • the optical means is preferably a spherical lens or a mirror.
  • a light beam is deflected from an input channel to one of a plurality of output channels.
  • the optical properties of the optical means are changed by electrical fields.
  • Optical properties in the sense of the invention are preferably the refractive index and the curvature of lenses, preferably spherical lenses, or the curvature of mirrors.
  • the optical means is not only shifted, but its overall optical properties are changed, so that additional parameters for the design of optical devices are available to the person skilled in the art.
  • the person skilled in the art understands that the shifting of the optical means and the change in their optical properties can, but does not have to, take place independently of one another.
  • Another object of the present invention is an optical device with a liquid optical means, characterized in that at least one optical property of the means is reversibly changeable by an electric field.
  • Optical properties in the sense of the invention are preferably the refractive index and the curvature of lenses, preferably spherical lenses, or the curvature of mirrors. It was extremely surprising for the person skilled in the art that with liquid optical means it is possible to achieve different optical properties reversibly and very quickly by applying an electrical field. The device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • the means is preferably a spherical lens, which consists of a spherical drop of liquid, the curvature of which can be reversibly changed.
  • the agent is preferably stored on an ultraphobic surface, as has already been described above.
  • This embodiment has the advantage that a drop on the ' ultraphobic surface takes at least approximately the shape of a sphere and can be moved on the ultraphobic surface without loss.
  • the optical device is an optical switch. By changing the optical properties, it is possible to switch light from one input channel to one of several output channels without having to move the optical means.
  • FIGS. 1, 2, 2a-2c The invention is explained below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a-2c. These explanations are only examples and do not limit the general idea of the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the optical switch according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the optical switch according to the invention.
  • Figures 2a 2b show two states of a switchable mirror
  • FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the optical switch according to the invention, which has three input channels E1-E3 and three output channels A1-A3. Light signals are passed through the input channels E1-E3 into the optical switch and there redirected to one of the output channels A1-A3. This is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1 on the input channel E2 and on the output channel A1.
  • a light signal is passed via the light guide E2 into the optical switch and bundled there by the water drop 1, which represents an optical lens, and is reflected by the optical structure, which consists of nine partially reflecting mirrors 5, onto the output channel A1.
  • the optical switch Before the light signal leaves the optical switch through the output channel A1, it is expanded again by the water drop 3, which is also an optical lens.
  • the optical switch also has an ultraphobic surface 4, on which the water plugs have a contact angle of 174 °.
  • Immediately below the ultraphobic surface are two grids with electrodes, each of which can be controlled with an electrical voltage in any order and for any duration, as a result of which a drop of water can be positioned very precisely and very quickly on or between the respective electrodes of the grid.
  • the grid does not have to be a 3 x 3 matrix, but can be much finer or coarser.
  • FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the optical switch according to the invention, which has three input channels E1-E3 and three output channels A1-A3.
  • Light signals are passed through the input channels E1-E3 into the optical switch and there redirected to one of the output channels A1-A3. This is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1 on the input channel E2 and on the output channel A1.
  • a light signal is passed via the light guide E2 into the optical switch and deflected by the switchable mirror 7 onto the output channel A1.
  • the mode of operation of the switchable mirror is further illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2c explained below.
  • the optical switch also has an ultraphobic surface 6 on which the water plugs have a contact angle of 174 °. Through the respective switching of the switchable mirrors, the light signals of the input channels E1 - E3 are redirected to different output channels A1 - A3.
  • the switchable mirror is based on a transparent, ultraphobic surface 12, an air film 11 and a liquid 10, which in the present case is water. Due to the ultraphobicity of the surface 12, an air film 11 is formed between it and the liquid 10, which is totally reflective, i.e. acts like a mirror. This relationship is shown using the light beam 9.
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b The further function of the switchable mirror is explained with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b.
  • a drop of liquid 8 in the present case water, is moved with an electric field along an ultraphobic surface. Due to the ultraphobicity of the surface 12, an air film is formed at the points at which the liquid drop 8 covers the surface 12, which film has a total reflection. At the points on the surface 12 where the liquid drop 8 is not located, the surface 12 is transparent to the respective light.
  • FIG. 2a shows the state in which the switchable mirror has a reflective effect because the liquid drop 8 is in the path of the light beam 9.
  • Figure 2b shows the state in which the liquid drop 8 has been moved to the left with an electric field.
  • the switchable mirror With this setting of the switchable mirror, the light beam is only refracted but not reflected on the transparent, ultraphobic surfaces.
  • the switchable mirror can therefore be switched between the mirroring or translucent states as desired.
  • the switchable mirror in column 1, row 2 is totally reflective and the switchable mirror in column 1, row 3 is transparent. .

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Light Control Or Optical Switches (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif comportant au moins un milieu optique, à base d'au moins un liquide, qui comprend au moins une face ultraphobe sur laquelle le milieu optique peut être déplacé. Ledit dispositif est de préférence un interrupteur optique.
PCT/EP2002/014382 2001-12-19 2002-12-17 Dispositif optique comprenant un milieu optique liquide WO2003052476A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002360994A AU2002360994A1 (en) 2001-12-19 2002-12-17 Optical device comprising a liquid optical agent

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2001162816 DE10162816A1 (de) 2001-12-19 2001-12-19 Optischer Schalter
DE10162816.1 2001-12-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003052476A1 true WO2003052476A1 (fr) 2003-06-26

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2002/014382 WO2003052476A1 (fr) 2001-12-19 2002-12-17 Dispositif optique comprenant un milieu optique liquide

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002360994A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE10162816A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003052476A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3523209A1 (de) * 1985-06-28 1987-01-02 Philips Patentverwaltung Optischer schalter
WO1999018456A1 (fr) * 1997-10-08 1999-04-15 Universite Joseph Fourier Lentille a focale variable
DE19910375A1 (de) * 1998-03-09 1999-09-23 Bartels Mikrotechnik Gmbh Optischer Schalter und modulares Schaltsystem aus optischen Schaltelementen
US6014259A (en) * 1995-06-07 2000-01-11 Wohlstadter; Jacob N. Three dimensional imaging system
DE19860137A1 (de) * 1998-12-24 2000-06-29 Bayer Ag Verfahren zur Herstellung einer ultraphoben Oberfläche auf Basis von strukturiertem Aluminium

Family Cites Families (11)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2553906B1 (fr) * 1983-10-21 1986-10-17 Thomson Csf Dispositif de commutation optique a commande electrique
DE3408590A1 (de) * 1984-03-09 1985-09-12 Philips Patentverwaltung Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg Justiereinrichtung
GB2207522A (en) * 1987-07-25 1989-02-01 Gen Electric Co Plc Integrated optical coupling device using movable liquid
US5195162A (en) * 1987-12-16 1993-03-16 General Motors Corporation Planar polymer light guide methods and apparatus
US5674592A (en) * 1995-05-04 1997-10-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Functionalized nanostructured films
DE19623270C2 (de) * 1996-06-11 1998-05-20 Juergen Rebel Adaptives optisches Abbildungssystem zur Abbildung eines von einem Laser emittierten Strahlenbündels
DE19711564C2 (de) * 1997-03-20 1999-07-08 Inst Mikrotechnik Mainz Gmbh Optisches Schaltelement und Schaltanordnung
DE19751169A1 (de) * 1997-11-19 1999-05-20 Bosch Gmbh Robert Koppel- und Umschaltelement für Lichtwellenleiter
DE19860135C2 (de) * 1998-12-24 2003-02-06 Sunyx Surface Nanotechnologies Ultraphobe Oberfläche auf Basis von Wolframcarbit, ein Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung und ihre Verwendung
US6449081B1 (en) * 1999-06-16 2002-09-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Optical element and optical device having it
DE19947788A1 (de) * 1999-10-05 2001-04-12 Bayer Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Bewegen von Flüssigkeiten

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3523209A1 (de) * 1985-06-28 1987-01-02 Philips Patentverwaltung Optischer schalter
US6014259A (en) * 1995-06-07 2000-01-11 Wohlstadter; Jacob N. Three dimensional imaging system
WO1999018456A1 (fr) * 1997-10-08 1999-04-15 Universite Joseph Fourier Lentille a focale variable
DE19910375A1 (de) * 1998-03-09 1999-09-23 Bartels Mikrotechnik Gmbh Optischer Schalter und modulares Schaltsystem aus optischen Schaltelementen
DE19860137A1 (de) * 1998-12-24 2000-06-29 Bayer Ag Verfahren zur Herstellung einer ultraphoben Oberfläche auf Basis von strukturiertem Aluminium

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
T. ONDA ET AL: "Super-Water-Repellent Fractal Surfaces", LANGMUIR, vol. 12, no. 9, 1 May 1996 (1996-05-01), pages 2125 - 2127, XP002238022 *
WASHIZU M: "ELECTROSTATIC ACTUATION OF LIQUID DROPLETS FOR MICROREACTOR APPLICATIONS", IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, IEEE INC. NEW YORK, US, vol. 34, no. 4, July 1998 (1998-07-01), pages 732 - 737, XP000848012, ISSN: 0093-9994 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002360994A1 (en) 2003-06-30
DE10162816A1 (de) 2003-07-03

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