Fluid-enhanced tunable diffraction with an elastomeric grating

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2-2017

Abstract

We replicate a diffraction grating by soft lithography. Tunable diffraction is accomplished by modifying groove spacing through the application of strain on the elastomeric replica. The range of strain-variable diffraction angles is extended by adding a refracting liquid layer to the grating. Using a water layer, the diffraction angle is tuned from 38 to 33.4 deg with an applied strain of 17.7%. With an equal amount of strain, employing a glycerol layer results in the diffraction angle varying from 38.8 to 34.4 deg. Our experimental results are accurately described by the combined effects of diffraction by a deformable grating and refraction by a fluid with a curved surface.

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