Optofluidic tunable microlens by manipulating the liquid meniscus using a flared microfluidic structure

We have designed, demonstrated, and characterized a simple, novel in-plane tunable optofluidic microlens. The microlens is realized by utilizing the interface properties between two different fluids: CaCl2 solution and air. A constant contact angle of similar to 90 degrees is the pivotal factor resulting in the outward bowing and convex shape of the CaCl2 solution-air interface. The contact angle at the CaCl2 solution-air interface is maintained by a flared structure in the polydimethylsiloxane channel. The resulting bowing interface, coupled with the refractive index difference between the two fluids, results in effective in-plane focusing. The versatility of such a design is confirmed by characterizing the intensity of a traced beam experimentally and comparing the observed focal points with those obtained via ray-tracing simulations. With the radius of curvature conveniently controlled via fluid injection, the resulting microlens has a readily tunable focal length. This ease of operation, outstandingly low fluid usage, large range tunable focal length, and in-plane focusing ability make this lens suitable for many potential lab-on-a-chip applications such as particle manipulation, flow cytometry, and in-plane optical trapping. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3497934]