Optical modulators based on electrocapillarity.
Electrically addressable variable-power optical elements of small (<1-mm) dimensions that can be used as optical modulators are described with experimental results. The devices use the curved interface between two immiscible liquids as an optical element. The electrocapillarity effect is used to change the interfacial tension and hence the curvature and power of the interface. Both transmission and reflection systems are described.
Lea
M C
MC
Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA.