Hemicylindrical and toroidal liquid microlens formed by pyro-electro-wetting

We found that by opportune functionalization of a polar dielectric substrate, a self-arrangement of hemi-cylindrical or toroidal-shaped liquid droplets can be obtained. The process takes place when a thermal stimulus is provided to a poled substrate whose surface is covered by an oily substance layer. Liquid droplet self-arrangement is due to the pyroelectric effect, and interferometric characterization of the droplets is also reported. We investigated this open microfluidic system for exploring the possibility to obtain liquid cylindrical microlens with variable focal length. Liquid microtoroidal structures arrays are also realized. They could find application as resonant liquid microcavities for whispering gallery modes. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America