Fabrication of switchable microlens arrays based on a liquid crystal

In this work, we report on a novel method of fabricating liquid crystal (LC) microlens arrays using a LC layer on a surface relief structure of the UV curable polymer. This surface structure can be easily obtained, compared to the conventional method, for example, a photolithographic process or an ion-beam etching. It is noted that the large birefringence of the LC being used makes it possible to achieve a wide range of the switching characteristics of the microlens.