Functional Biomimetic Microlens Arrays with Integrated Pores

Biology provides a multitude of varied, new paradigms for the development of adaptive optical networks[1-4]. Here we present a first example of synthetic, biomimetic microlens arrays with integrated pores, whose appearance and function are strikingly similar to their biological prototype -- a highly efficient optical element formed by brittlestars[3]. The complex microstructure is created directly by three-beam interference lithography in a single exposure. We show that (i) the microlenses have strong focusing ability and (ii) light-absorbing liquids can be transported in and out of the pores between the lenses, which provides a wide range of tunability of the lens optical properties.