Light-driven polymer actuators for propulsion and light control

LaQuieta Huey; Sergey S. Sarkisov; Michael J. Curley; Grigory Adamovsky; Jai-Ching Wang

doi:10.1117/12.684337

19 October 2006 Light-driven polymer actuators for propulsion and light control

LaQuieta Huey, Sergey S. Sarkisov, Michael J. Curley, Grigory Adamovsky, Jai-Ching Wang

Proceedings Volume 6374, Optomechatronic Actuators, Manipulation, and Systems Control; 637402 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.684337
Event: Optics East 2006, 2006, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Abstract

New light-driven actuators based on films of polymer polyvinylidene fluoride are described. The actuators employ the photomechanical bending of the polymer film caused by low power (10 mW and less) laser radiation. The photomechanical effect combines various physical mechanisms, such as anisotropic thermal expansion, converse piezoelectric mechanism along with photovoltaic and pyroelectric ones, while the mechanism of thermal expansion is dominant for slow motion. Mechanical vibrations of the strips of the photomechanical polymer were observed with periodic pulsed laser excitation. The resonance frequency is inversely proportional to the square of the length of the strip, in full agreement with the theory. Resonance frequency measurements were used to determine the modulus of elasticity of the films, which was close to 3.0×10⁹ Pa. Two possible applications were discussed: optical fiber switch and adaptive mirror propelled by the proposed actuators. The actuators have a potential of being used as the components of future light-driven micro/nano systems.

Citation Download Citation

LaQuieta Huey, Sergey S. Sarkisov, Michael J. Curley, Grigory Adamovsky, and Jai-Ching Wang "Light-driven polymer actuators for propulsion and light control", Proc. SPIE 6374, Optomechatronic Actuators, Manipulation, and Systems Control, 637402 (19 October 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.684337

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KEYWORDS

Actuators

Ferroelectric polymers

Reflectors

Polymers

Mirrors

Laser beam diagnostics

Polymeric actuators

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