We report on liquid-based tunable microlenses actuated by infrared (IR) light. Multiple micropost structures, made of IR light-responsive hydrogel with entrapped gold nanoparticles, are photopatterned around a lens aperture. The volumetric change in the hydrogel, controlled by IR light, regulates the curvature of a liquid-liquid interface forming the microlens at the aperture and its focal length. The focal length of the microlens can be tuned from in seconds under IR irradiation. This microlens can be integrated into optical systems, for instance, for fiber endoscopy.
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