Optofluidics for Free-Space and Guided-Wave Optics

Optofluidics results from the integration of optics, microfluidics, micromechanics, and microelectronics, and has achieved new levels of functionality for both free-space and guided-wave optical systems. We will present some recent work on novel optofluidic components and hybrid systems, in particular tunable fluidic lenses, apertures and irises, and show how these can be employed in free-space systems for hyperspectral analysis, endoscopic imaging, and for simulation of a single- aperture mammalian eye. As an alternative technology, we also present a new generation of optofluidic router which uses only fluidic interfaces to switch and route optical signals, providing a new means for optical reconfiguration of lab-on-a-chip systems using repositionable liquid mirrors.

Speaker: Hans Zappe, University of Freiberg