液晶微透镜阵列作为基本的光学元件之一, 具有焦距可调、结构紧凑、低功耗、稳定性好等优点, 在微纳光学领域有广泛的应用。经过近40年的发展, 液晶微透镜阵列的研究日趋成熟, 不同结构形式和应用于不同场景的液晶微透镜阵列层出不穷。本文系统总结了液晶微透镜阵列的3种工作原理, 并对近年来的研究进展分类进行描述, 重点放在液晶微透镜的制作过程、结构特点和工作原理, 具体介绍了基于光的折射和衍射原理的液晶微透镜阵列, 涉及透镜结构、液晶取向技术以及透镜阵列的应用等方面。最后总结了液晶微透镜阵列存在的问题和发展趋势。

Liquid crystal microlens arrays, as one of the basic optical elements, have the advantages of tunable focal length, compact structure, low power consumption and good stability. They have a wide range of applications in the field of micro-/nano-optics. After nearly 40-year development, the research on liquid crystal microlens arrays has become gradually matured. Liquid crystal microlens arrays with different structures and applications have emerged rapidly. Here, this review article briefly summarizes the three working principles of liquid crystal microlens arrays, and describes the recent research progress separately. The review focuses on the manufacturing process, structural characteristics and working principle of liquid crystal microlens. Particularly, liquid crystal microlens arrays based on refraction and diffraction principles are respectively discussed, involving microlens structures, liquid crystal alignment techniques, as well as their applications. Finally, the key issues and future development trends of liquid crystal microlens arrays are summarized.