Hybrid-aligned nematic liquid-crystal modulators fabricated on VLSI circuits

Abstract

A new method for fabricating analog light modulators on VLSI devices is described. The process is fully compatible with devices fabricated by commercial VLSI foundries, and the assembly of the modulator structures requires a small number of simple processing steps. The modulators are capable of analog amplitude or phase modulation and can operate at video rates and at low voltages (2.2 V). The modulation mechanism and the process yielding the modulator structures are described. Experimental data are presented. © 1995 Optical Society of America The development of highly integrated spatial light modulators and smart pixel arrays based on VLSI circuitry and liquid-crystal devices has recently made signif icant progress.

Dual-frequency addressed hybrid-aligned nematic liquid crystal

“…It is therefore possible to achieve grayscales with low voltage which is very beneficial for displays and photonics applications. 13 However, a shortcoming of the HAN cell is that its phase retardation is only about one half of that of a corresponding homogeneous or homeotropic cell. For a LC optical phased array, a 2 phase change is required.…”

Holographic random access memory (HRAM)

“…3(a) shows the cross section of our device [23]. It is composed of silicon circuitry overlaid with hybrid-aligned nematic liquid crystal [24], [25] and a glass cover plate with a transparent electrode. The circuitry contains a photodetector, a static memory element to hold the data that are read out or that are to be written, and liquid crystal driving circuitry.…”

Electro-optical effects in hybrid aligned flexoelectric nematic layers

“…It was proposed for applications in displays as well as in other liquid-crystal optical devices, e.g., modulators and attenuators. [8][9][10][11] The role of the flexoelectricity in the stability of the hybrid aligned flexoelectric nematic (HAFN) layer subjected to an electric field was analyzed theoretically 12 and numerically. 13 It was shown that three different states can be stable under hybrid boundary conditions, namely, uniform planar, uniform homeotropic, and non-uniform which is intermediate between the former two.…”