Liquid micro-lens array activated by selective electrowetting on lithium niobate substrates

Lens effect was obtained in an open microfluidic system by usinga thin layer of liquid on a polar electric crystal like LiNbO3. An array ofliquid micro-lenses was generated by electrowetting effect in pyroelectricperiodically poled crystals. Compared to conventional electrowettingdevices, the pyroelectric effect allowed to have an electrode-less and circuitlessconfiguration. An interferometric technique was used to characterize thecurvature of the micro-lenses and the corresponding results are presentedand discussed. The preliminary results concerning the imaging capability ofthe micro-lens array are also reported.