Zero-Loss Optical Switch Based on Ionic Liquid Microdroplet Ewod Actuation

• This paper reports the first optical shutter based on electrical actuation of microdroplets featuring zero insertion loss in the open state and broad-band operation. These features are achieved by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) actuation of ionic liquid microdroplets. Due to their negligible vapor pressure, ionic liquids allow the switch to robustly operate in air, unlike previously proposed systems in which the light had to cross several attenuating and refractive layers. Moreover, this solution enables operation in a much wider wavelength range, e.g. in the infrared spectrum where glass has strong absorption. Additionally, the proposed device requires lower voltage to operate (25 V) and features zero static power consumption.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

digital microfluidics

Electrowetting-on-dielectric

EWOD

ionic liquids

laser optics

microdroplet actuation

microfluidic device

optical component

optical shutter

optical switch

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)