To unveil a novel switching mechanism in liquid crystal (LC)-based phase shifters for the THz range, we analyse how the dimensions of the electrode structures enable a new type of switching, namely, THz in-plane and THz out-of-plane (TIP–TOP) switching. Specifically, we determine how varying these electrode dimensions influences the LC in-plane states with the corresponding phase shifts by calculating these effects in virtual devices. Interestingly, we found that significant dimensional effects of the in-plane electrode structures statically and dynamically influence the phase shift and response time of LC switching. Analysing the electromagnetic fields in the TIP–TOP cell clearly reveals that these dimensional effects are due to changes in the electric field strengths caused by lateral bus-line electrodes that were originally assumed not to contribute to the switching. Further, we discover that the ultimate dimensional effect produces a novel type of LC switching, which results in hexadirectional switching between the initial, intrinsic in-plane, and out-of-plane reorientations of the LCs, suggesting a broader range of phase shifts while maintaining a rapid response.
www.videleaf.com that impedes the lift-off process. These two additional processes enable fabricating more uniform, defect-free PEDOT:PSS patterns. Both increasing the wettability of the photoresist patterns before spin-coating PEDOT:PSS and reducing its conformal coverage are key to improving the photolithographic microfabrication of PEDOT:PSS.
To unveil a novel switching mechanism in liquid crystal (LC)-based phase shifters for the THz range, we analyse how the dimensions of the electrode structures enable a new type of switching, namely, THz in-plane and THz out-plane (TIP-TOP) switching. Specifically, we determine how varying these electrode dimensions influences the LC in-plane states with the corresponding phase shifts by calculating these effects in virtual devices. Interestingly, we found that significant dimensional effects of the in-plane electrode structures statically and dynamically influence the phase shift and response time of LC switching. Analysing the electromagnetic fields in the TIP-TOP cell clearly reveals that these dimensional effects are due to changes in the electric field strengths caused by lateral bus-line electrodes that were originally assumed not to contribute to the switching. Further, we discover that the ultimate dimensional effect produces a novel type of LC switching, which results in hexadirectional switching between the initial, intrinsic in-plane, and out-of-plane reorientations of the LCs, suggesting a broader range of phase shifts while maintaining a rapid response.
Liquid crystal (LC) devices for terahertz phase shifters inevitably use a thick cell gap for the required retardation, severely delaying the LC response. To improve the response, we virtually demonstrate novel LC switching between in-plane and out-of-plane for reversible switching between three orthogonal orientation states, broadening the range of continuous phase shifts. This LC switching is realized using a pair of substrates, each with two pairs of orthogonal finger-type electrodes and one grating-type electrode for in- and out-of-plane switching. An applied voltage generates an electric field that drives each switching process between the three distinct orientation states, enabling a rapid response.
Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is known for its potential to replace indium–tin oxide in various devices. Herein, when fabricating finger-type PEDOT:PSS electrodes using conventional photolithography, the cross-sectional profiles of the patterns are U-shaped instead of rectangular. The films initially suffer from non-uniformity and fragility as well as defects owing to undesirable patterns. Adding a small amount of hydrolyzed silane crosslinker to PEDOT:PSS suspensions increases the mechanical durability of PEDOT:PSS patterns while lifting off the photoresist. To further improve their microfabrication, we observe the effects of two additional oxygen (O2) plasma treatments on conventional photolithography processes for patterning PEDOT:PSS, expecting to observe how O2 plasma increases the uniformity of the patterns and changes the thickness and U-shaped cross-sectional profiles of the patterns. Appropriately exposing the patterned photoresist to O2 plasma before spin-coating PEDOT:PSS improves the wettability of its surface, including its sidewalls, and a similar treatment before lifting off the photoresist helps partially remove the spin-coated PEDOT:PSS that impedes the lift-off process. These two additional processes enable fabricating more uniform, defect-free PEDOT:PSS patterns. Both increasing the wettability of the photoresist patters before spin-coating PEDOT:PSS and reducing its conformal coverage are key to improving the photolithographic microfabrication of PEDOT:PSS.
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