The possibility of electrically tuning the scattering of light from surfaces by dynamically varying their properties is desirable for controllable transparency devices and diffusion filters. As a difference from state-of-the-art approaches where scattering is changed isotropically, this paper presents the first smart-material-based technology enabling electrical modulations in a single or multiple directions, which can be selected dynamically. The effect is achieved from thin soft membranes with transparent PEDOT:PSS coatings, which are electrically deformed along a single or multiple axes, using dielectric elastomer actuation. Anisotropic scattering is induced by electrically tuning the formation of directional surface wrinkles. As a proof of concept, a bi-directional device is obtained by overlapping two 90°-shifted mono-directional layers that can be controlled independently. According to the activation of the layers, light can be scattered along either direction, as well as both of them. Prototypes made of an acrylic elastomer were demonstrated with mono- and bi-directional operations. Devices with a window-to-total area ratio of 1:4 also showed a maximum electrical reduction of optical transmittance from 75% to 4%. This functionality and possible extensions to more than two controllable directions suggest applicability as electrically controllable anisotropic light diffusers for dynamic light shaping, as well as tunable transparency surfaces.

中文翻译：

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来自软薄膜的电可调定向光散射。

通过动态改变表面性质来电调谐来自表面的光散射的可能性对于可控的透明装置和扩散滤光片是理想的。作为与各向同性地改变散射的最新方法的不同之处，本文提出了第一个基于智能材料的技术，该技术能够在单个或多个方向上进行电调制，并且可以动态选择。这种效果是通过使用具有透明PEDOT：PSS涂层的薄软膜实现的，该膜使用介电弹性体驱动沿单个或多个轴发生电变形。各向异性散射是通过电调整定向表面皱纹的形成而引起的。作为概念证明，通过重叠两个可以独立控制的90°位移的单向层，可以获得双向设备。根据这些层的激活，光可以沿着任一方向以及两者都散射。用单向和双向操作演示了由丙烯酸弹性体制成的原型。窗口与总面积之比为1：4的设备还显示出最大光学透射率从75％降低到4％。这种功能性以及对两个以上可控方向的可能扩展表明，适用于动态光整形以及可调透明表面的电可控各向异性光扩散器。用单向和双向操作演示了由丙烯酸弹性体制成的原型。窗口与总面积之比为1：4的设备还显示出最大光学透射率从75％降低到4％。这种功能性以及对两个以上可控方向的可能扩展表明，适用于动态光整形以及可调透明表面的电可控各向异性光扩散器。用单向和双向操作演示了由丙烯酸弹性体制成的原型。窗口与总面积之比为1：4的设备还显示出最大光学透射率从75％降低到4％。这种功能性以及对两个以上可控方向的可能扩展表明，适用于动态光整形以及可调透明表面的电可控各向异性光扩散器。