Optical element, optical device, atmosphere provider, optical scanning device, light coupling device, and method of operating interfacial waves

摘要

An optical element (1) is provided for generating interfacial waves by means of electro wetting. The optical element (1) comprises a fluid chamber (3) with at least one side wall and an optical axis (10). Furthermore the fluid chamber (3) includes a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B) which are separated by an interface (4), the fluids (A,B) being immiscible. A first electro wetting electrode (2) and a second electro wetting electrode (9) are provided, the first electro wetting electrode (2) is separated from the first fluid (A) and the second fluid (B) by a fluid contact layer (8). The second electro wetting electrode (9) is arranged to act on the first fluid (A). The selected standing or running waves can be formed by providing selected voltages to the first and the second electro wetting electrodes (2,9) respectively.