Abstract
We present a proof of concept demonstration of a novel optical element: a light-responsive aperture that can track a moving light beam. The element is created using a thermally-activated transparency-switching material composed of paraffin wax and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Illumination of the material with a focused beam causes the formation of a localized transparency at the focal spot location, due to local heating caused by absorption of a portion of the incident light. An application is proposed in a new design for a self-tracking solar collector.
| Original language | British English |
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| Pages (from-to) | A930-A935 |
| Journal | Optics Express |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 15 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 27 Jul 2015 |