Spectral tuning of liquid microdroplets standing on a superhydrophobic surface using electrowetting

Abstract

Using electrowetting, we demonstrate reversible spectral tuning of the whispering gallery modes of glycerol/water microdroplets standing on a superhydrophobic surface by up to 4.7 nm at 400 V. Our results can inspire electrically tunable optical switches and filters based on microdroplets on a superhydrophobic surface. The sensitivity of the observed spectral drift to the contact angle can also be used to measure the contact angles of microdroplets on a superhydrophobic surface. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.