Facile fabrication of defogging microlens arrays using electric field-driven jet printing. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Xiaoyang; Li, Zhenghao; Hu, Yujie; Li, Hongke; Yang, Jianjun; Lan, Hongbo
• Is Part Of: Optics & laser technology. Volume 123(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Defogging -- Microlens array -- Electric field-driven jet printing; Optics -- Periodicals; Lasers -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.366
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2019.105943
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0030-3992

Abstract

Highlights: A defogging microlens array fabrication method was proposed and fabricated. The as-prepared defogging microlens has good geometric, optical, and defogging properties. The whole fabrication process is cost-effective, simple and rapid. The gap between the microlenses is used to fill the heated wire without sacrificing micro-lens imaging. Abstract: Challenges remain regarding the defogging of the microlens array when it is applied to endoscopy, displays, camera lenses. A facile and convenient method of fabricating defogging microlens arrays directly on a substrate using electric field-driven jet printing is presented. By directly printing the microlenses and conducting silver wires onto the same substrate, we realized a microlens array (MLA) for defogging after electrification. The as-prepared defogging MLA exhibits homogeneous and stable heating performance. Furthermore, the practical applicability of defogging MLA is successfully demonstrated through an imaging and defogging test (MLA area: 18 * 9 mm, defogging time: 25 s, voltage: 3 V). This letter will provide a new and simple solution for the fabrication of micro-optical devices applied to foggy environments.