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We demonstrate a 1×2 optical switch matrix based on a liquid-actuated mirror reflector. Three indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes are fabricated on the bottom substrate. One droplet is placed in the middle of the liquid channel and surrounded by density-matched silicone oil. A mirror reflector is placed on the droplet. In its initial state, the light beam can pass through the device from the light hole. When we apply voltage to one side of the ITO electrode, the droplet carries the mirror reflector, stretching and moving toward this side of the substrate. Therefore, the light beam is reflected by the mirror reflector. The light beam can pass through the device again when the mirror reflector is carried away by the droplet. Out-1 and Out-2 alternately change the switch-on and off states. Therefore, the device can achieve the function of a 1×2 optical switch matrix. Because it uses a mirror reflector to block the light beam, the device can attain 100% intensity attenuation. Our experiments show that the switch time from Out-1 (Out-2) to Out-2 (Out-1) are 129 and 123 ms, respectively. The proposed optical switch has potential applications in variable optical attenuators, electronic displays, and light shutters.

We propose a 1×2 optical switch based on electrowetting effect. The proposed optical switch is composed of a black liquid and a clear liquid. The black liquid is placed in the center of the bottom substrate. The surrounding is filled with transparent oil. The bottom substrate is fabricated with three abreast indium tin oxide electrodes. When we apply a voltage to one side of the electrode, the droplet stretches toward the same side of the substrate. When the voltage is removed, the droplet returns to its original state with the aid of interfacial tension and adsorption force. In our experiment, it requires ∼52 and ∼250 ms for the device to switch the light off and on, respectively. The maximum optical attenuation can reach ∼29 dB and the minimum power consumption is 14.9 μW. When we apply a voltage to the both sides of the electrodes, the device can achieve the function of light-on and light-off states simultaneously. The proposed optical switch has potential applications in optical switching networks, variable optical attenuators, and optical routers.

An adaptive liquid iris for an optical switch based on electrowetting is demonstrated. The device consists of a clear conductive liquid and an opaque insulate oil. In the voltage-off state, the dome of the clear liquid touches the top substrate, and an iris-like opening is formed in its central area, and the aperture of the opening is at its largest. When a voltage is applied to the device, the shape of the conductive liquid is deformed due to the electrowetting effect. As a result, the diameter of the opening is reduced. Our results show that the aperture of the device can be tuned from similar to 6.4 mm to 0 as the applied voltage is changed from 0 to similar to 60 V. The device can obtain a high optical attenuation (similar to 872:1). The response time was measured to be similar to 117 ms (shrinking time is similar to 25 ms, and relaxing time is similar to 92 ms) with turnaround speed of 55 mm/s. Our device has potential applications in light shutters, variable optical attenuators, adaptive irises, and displays. (C) 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)