Polymer Network Liquid Crystals For Tunable Microlens Arrays

We demonstrate a tunable-focus microlens array using polymer network liquid crystals (PNLCs). PNLCs were prepared by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure through a patterned photomask. The UV-curable monomer in each of the exposed spots forms an inhomogeneous centro-symmetrical polymer network that functions as a lens when a homogeneous electric field is applied to the cell. The focal length of the microlens is tunable with the applied voltage