Two-dimensional movement of photothermal actuator composed of optical fibers

摘要

An optical actuator has such features as controlled by optical energy in wireless and no generation of magnetic noise. A new type of an actuator driven by optical energy is proposed. The actuator is composed of three optical fibers as a leg jointed to a base. The optical fibers are vibrated by optical energy using photothermal effect. The photothermal actuator travels a distance of linearly 25 micrometer per second at 12mW input power. It is also possible to be controlled in two-dimensional movement by controlling the position of a vibrating optical fiber. The photothermal actuator can move not only straight but turn the right and left freely. It succeeds to control the photothermal actuator 12 degrees turn to the right and 13 degrees to the left in 90 seconds.