Abstract

We present an autonomous, self-powered solar light controller based on functional integration of a flexible cantilever light guide and a paraffin wax-based optothermal actuator. The controller utilizes the optothermally induced volume increase in the elastomer-encapsulated paraffin wax to produce pneumatic force, which subsequently actuates the cantilever light guide to control the level of frustrated total internal reflection. In its linear response regime, it demonstrated 33% reduction in light intensity fluctuation in terms of the root-mean-square value.

© 2014 Optical Society of America

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