Elastomeric Optics

This paper describes optical components prepared using poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers and liquid metals as constituent materials. Most optical components are fabricated from rigid materials such as glass, rigid polymers, or metals. By contrast, the elastomeric optics described here are designed to be deformable. Because the structure of the optical surface can be deformed easily, a single elastomeric optical component can be adapted to several applications. This paper provides procedures for the fabrication of elastomeric diffraction gratings, mirrors, and lenses and characterizes some basic properties of these optical elements.