1D/2D switchable grating based on field-induced polymer stabilized blue phase liquid crystal

Zhu, Jiliang; Lü, Jiangang; Qiang, Jing; Zhong, En-Wei; Ye, Zhicheng; He, Zhenghong; Guo, Xiaojun; Dong, Cheng; Su, Yikai; Shieh, Han–Ping D.

doi:10.1063/1.3680875

Cited by 50 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The direction of future research into this kind of LC material would be to lower the operation voltage, reduce hysteresis, and improve properties such as stability and contrast [89,90]. Other approaches for example beam steering with liquid crystal phase grating is also able to achieve faster response (<10 ms) and adjustable switching angles.…”

Section: Faster Lcos Response For Faster Wss Switchingmentioning

confidence: 99%

LCoS SLM Study and Its Application in Wavelength Selective Switch

et al. 2017

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Abstract:The Liquid-Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) spatial light modulator (SLM) has been used in wavelength selective switch (WSS) systems since the 1990s. However, most of the LCoS devices used for WSS systems have a pixel size larger than 6 µm. Although there are some negative physical effects related to smaller pixel sizes, the benefits of more available ports, larger spatial bandwidth, improved resolution, and the compactness of the whole system make the latest generation LCoS microdisplays highly appealing as the core component in WSS systems. In this review work, three specifications of the WSS system including response time, crosstalk and insertion loss, and optimization directions are discussed. With respect to response time, the achievements of liquid crystal material are briefly surveyed. For the study of crosstalk and insertion loss, related physical effects and their relation to the crosstalk or insertion loss are discussed in detail, preliminary experimental study for these physical effects based on a small pixel LCoS SLM device (GAEA device, provided by Holoeye, 3.74 µm pixel pitch, 10 megapixel resolution, telecom) is first performed, which helps with predicting and optimizing the performance of a WSS system with a small pixel size SLM. In the last part, the trend of LCoS devices for future WSS modules is discussed based on the performance of the GAEA device. Tradeoffs between multiple factors are illustrated. In this work, we present the first study, to our knowledge, of the possible application of a small pixel sized SLM as a switching component in a WSS system.

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Section: Faster Lcos Response For Faster Wss Switchingmentioning

confidence: 99%

LCoS SLM Study and Its Application in Wavelength Selective Switch

et al. 2017

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“…Generally, light propagating inside the diffractive optical element is diffracted by inducing a phase difference to the light propagating through a medium whose shape or isotropic refractive index is periodically modulated. In addition, anisotropic diffractive optical elements in which the optical anisotropy is periodically modulated have been reported [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Anisotropic diffractive optical elements show the polarization controllability which the diffraction efficiency and polarization states depend on the polarization states of the incident beams.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Photoreactive polymer LCs are mentioned as materials to use for alignment films other than azobenzene-containing material [2][3][4][7][8][9][10]. LC gratings can be applied to optical switching elements by applying a voltage [2,[4][5][6]. Moreover, control of diffraction properties and wavelength selection properties is realized by birefringence control in LC gratings using temperature control [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, with simultaneously induced photoisomerization reactions depending on a direction of incident polarized light, a periodically modulated anisotropic structure is fabricated by exposure of azobenzene polymer films to the orthogonal polarization interference field. In addition, liquid crystal (LC) gratings, in which LC directors are periodically modulated by periodically aligned films, are mentioned as an example of anisotropic diffractive optical elements [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Photoalignment by holographic exposure [2,4,8,9], photo-masking exposure [3], microrubbing method [5], and using an interdigitated electrode [6] are the common methods of the fabrication methods of LC gratings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, liquid crystal (LC) gratings, in which LC directors are periodically modulated by periodically aligned films, are mentioned as an example of anisotropic diffractive optical elements [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Photoalignment by holographic exposure [2,4,8,9], photo-masking exposure [3], microrubbing method [5], and using an interdigitated electrode [6] are the common methods of the fabrication methods of LC gratings. Photoreactive polymer LCs are mentioned as materials to use for alignment films other than azobenzene-containing material [2][3][4][7][8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

One-Step Holographic Photoalignment for Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Gratings

Kawai¹,

Sakamoto²,

Noda³

et al. 2017

Holographic Materials and Optical Systems

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Liquid crystal gratings, in which liquid crystal molecules are periodically aligned, are fabricated by highly efficient and practical one-step holographic photoalignment method using a photocrosslinkable polymer liquid crystal (PCLC). This method is an innovative fabrication technique for liquid crystal grating containing a twisted nematic alignment, which does not require a conventional complex fabrication process. In this chapter, three types of liquid crystal gratings with twisted nematic alignment are fabricated. Periodic director distributions of these liquid crystal gratings are analyzed based on the elastic continuum theory and observed experimentally using a polarized light optical microscope. Furthermore, the polarization diffraction properties were measured by illumination with a visible laser beam. The resultant liquid crystal gratings exhibit various polarization diffraction properties depending on the director distributions and the polarization states of the incident beams. These polarization diffraction properties are well explained by theoretical analysis based on Jones calculus. These resultant liquid crystal gratings exhibit great potential for application as a diffractive optical element that can simultaneously control the various parameters of the light wave, such as amplitude, polarization states, and propagation direction.

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Dynamic Control of Light Direction Enabled by Stimuli‐Responsive Liquid Crystal Gratings

et al. 2018

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the duality consolidation, the idea of controlling light and how it interacts with matter has always been an exciting topic. Visible light, as we perceive it, is a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum composed of mutually perpendicular oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space and presents wave-like and particle-like behavior. Since the elements comprising matter possess dynamic electron clouds, the electromagnetic nature of light prompts different responses when it interacts with different materials, depending on its intensity, frequency, the arrangement of molecules, and so on. Whenever light interacts with matter, it might be absorbed, re-emitted, scattered, or transmitted. Although these effects are well known, the combination of them with new, innovative materials pushes optics forward. In fact, advances in optics have often occurred through the development of materials with improved optical properties, thus creating remarkable applications that tremendously influence our daily lives. These exciting applications include image processing and recording, lasing, data storage, display devices, detector systems, propulsion systems, and optical tweezers, which have enabled remote micromanipulation of colloidal particles and promising applications in various biomedical and biological applications. [1][2][3] There is, however, one component that stands out: the diffraction grating. It is generally regarded as one of the most important devices in the development of several fields of science. [4] Such importance comes from the fact that a diffraction grating is a device with a periodic structure capable of changing the propagation and splitting the spectrum The ability to control light direction with tailored precision via facile means is long-desired in science and industry. With the advances in optics, a periodic structure called diffraction grating gains prominence and renders a more flexible control over light propagation when compared to prisms. Today, diffraction gratings are common components in wavelength division multiplexing devices, monochromators, lasers, spectrometers, media storage, beam steering, and many other applications. Next-generation optical devices, however, demand nonmechanical, full and remote control, besides generating higher than 1D diffraction patterns with as few optical elements as possible. Liquid crystals (LCs) are great candidates for light control since they can form various patterns under different stimuli, including periodic structures capable of behaving as diffraction gratings. The characteristics of such gratings depend on several physical properties of the LCs such as film thickness, periodicity, and molecular orientation, all resulting from the internal constraints of the sample, and all of these are easily controllable. In this review, the authors summarize the research and development on stimuli-controllable diffraction gratings and beam steering using LCs as the active optical materials. Dynamic gratings fabricated by applying external f...

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1D/2D switchable grating based on field-induced polymer stabilized blue phase liquid crystal

Cited by 50 publications

References 16 publications

LCoS SLM Study and Its Application in Wavelength Selective Switch

LCoS SLM Study and Its Application in Wavelength Selective Switch

One-Step Holographic Photoalignment for Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Gratings

Dynamic Control of Light Direction Enabled by Stimuli‐Responsive Liquid Crystal Gratings

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