Electrically actuated liquid shutter/iris for compact camera modules

To realize next-generation imaging systems, miniaturized tunable optical devices with wide operational ranges and low power consumption are essential for compact camera modules. Unlike conventional approaches based on the mechanical displacement of solid optical elements, liquid-based optical devices exploit the shape reconfiguration of liquids to achieve tunability without moving parts. While varifocal liquid lenses using electrowetting or electromagnetic actuation have been successfully commercialized, liquid shutters and irises—promising components for blocking and controlling incident light—remain technically challenging due to difficulties in achieving sufficient performance and reliability within a compact form factor. We propose liquid shutter and iris devices employing an opaque liquid as a light absorber dispersed in a transparent oil. Both liquids are confined between two parallel plates with patterned indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, enabling actuation via electrowetting (EW) or dielectrowetting (DEW) effects. Here, we present the design, fabrication processes, and performance evaluation of miniaturized liquid shutter and iris devices utilizing EW or DEW actuations. This work lays the groundwork for practical adoption of liquid-based shutter and iris systems in mobile, surveillance, and automotive imaging applications.