Electrically Switchable High-Fold-Helix Spiral Phase Plate Based on Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals

Abstract

In this study, high-fold-helix spiral phase plates (SPPs) based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) with fold numbers l > 45 are fabricated. The helical light modes modulated by the plates are demonstrated. The beam profiles of the helical modes emerging from the PDLC SPPs are measured using a laser beam profiler. The results show that the beam radius of the principal maximum is linearly proportional to the l of the plate. The images of a laser beam diffracted from SPPs are recorded and found to agree well with calculations based on Fourier transformation.

Phase behaviour and electro-optical response of systems composed of nematic liquid crystals and poly (2-ethylhexylacrylate)

“…They have been subject of intensive studies [6][7][8], because of both fundamental interest and potential applications in the field of smart windows, optical shutters, active display devices, sensors, microlenses and smart food packaging. Their unique electro-optical properties make them suitable for a large range of opto-electronical to biomedical devices [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. In the field off-state, the PDLC film scatters light due to mismatch between the effective refractive index (n eff ) of the LC and that of the polymer (n p ).…”