Liquid light

A new development in laser technology points towards new possibility or micro-scale, directable lasers.

The lasers have been made possible by a new, tunable fluidic micro lens that can focus and direct light. They could, the developing engineers claim, be used to create ‘on chip’ optical lasers, as well as facilitating less invasive, more comfortable medical procedures.
 
Traditional fixed focus lenses can only focus at a single distance, therefore the entire lens needs to shift to change the direction of the light. The new fluidic lenses, however, allow for a change in focal length and direction.
 
Commenting on the development, Tony Jun Huang, James Henderson assistant professor of engineering science and mechanics at Penn State University, said: "We use water and a calcium chloride solution because they are readily available and safe and their optical properties have been well characterized. There are lots of possibilities about what fluids we can use. Most solutions change their refractive indices if the concentration changes."
 
The system works by manipulating tiny streams of calcium chloride via two surrounding streams of water. By changing the flow rate of the water, the level of diffusion is altered thereby changing the refractivity of the fluid, and allowing for a changing focal length. The focal point can also be swayed left or right by changing the flow of water on only one side.
 
"With these two combined, we will have the capability of directing the light to any given point within the device," commented Huang.

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