Tunable two-dimensional polarization grating using a self-organized micropixelated liquid crystal structure

Amano, Reo; Szűcs, Péter; Yokokawa, Shunsuke; Kobayashi, Fumiaki; Sasaki, Yuji; Fujii, Satoshi; Buka, Ágnes; Araoka, Fumito; Orihara, Hiroshi

doi:10.1039/c8ra08557a

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The spacing between the neighboring defects, and hence the unit size of the pattern, depends on the frequency and the amplitude of the applied AC field, as well as on the cell gap and on the material properties of the LC. By patterning the electrodes or using optical tweezer, arrays created in this way have been made sufficiently regular to generate well‐defined 2D diffraction patterns . However, there are crucial shortcomings to overcome in order for this system to be useful as a diffraction grating.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, besides expanding on the ability to control the regularity and length‐scale of the system, we demonstrate a technique to create and dynamically control patterns of arbitrary complexity to be used as 2D diffraction gratings. To date, 2D LC‐based gratings have been obtained by various approaches, such as superposing multiple 1D arrays, modulating the LC alignment with photopatterning, using the spontaneous periodic undulations in cholesteric LCs or creating field‐induced 2D umbilical defect arrays . In some of these approaches, the dynamic tunability of the 2D diffraction pattern is achieved by tuning each 1D LC grating or by mechanically changing the angle of the polarizers, thus changing the diffraction angle or the shape of diffraction patterns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tunable Dynamic Topological Defect Pattern Formation in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Kim

Serra

2019

Advanced Optical Materials

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Soft materials are ideal candidates for the creation of tunable, self‐assembled structures. Herein, reconfigurable and switchable dynamic patterns are created using topological defects in nematic liquid crystals. The elastic properties of liquid crystals combined with their responsiveness to electric field are used to control the periodicity and the symmetry of an array of topological defects, assisted by polymeric micropillars. The switching between stable configurations is perfectly reversible and repeatable, and there is no limitation on the length scale of the regular array of defects. The array is used to create 2D diffraction patterns that can be tuned both in the azimuthal and in the polar directions. In addition, the refractive index of the liquid crystal mixture is controlled to optimize the diffraction efficiency. This system, with its flexibility and controllability, offers a promising route for the design of patters with arbitrary symmetry that can be employed in optics and reversible self‐assembly.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tunable Dynamic Topological Defect Pattern Formation in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Kim

Serra

2019

Advanced Optical Materials

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“…In addition to the 2D PGs fabricated based on polarization-sensitive materials, Y. Sasaki et al reported a tunable 2D PG obtained from a micro-pixelated LC structure in 2018 [56,57]. By applying a micro-pixelated electric field to a homeotropically aligned nematic LC with negative dielectric anisotropy and ionic additives, as designed in Figure 12a, umbilical defects were formed, and a square array of a 2D micropattern was self-organized (Figure 12b).…”

Section: Micro-pixelated Lc Structuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Two-Dimensional Liquid Crystal Polarization Gratings

2021

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In the past two decades, polarization gratings (PGs) have attracted intensive attention due to the high-efficient diffraction and polarization selectivity properties. On one hand, the one-dimensional (1D) PGs have been investigated widely and adapted to various applications. On the other hand, optical signal manipulation stimulates the development of multibeam optical devices. Therefore, the development of two-dimensional (2D) PGs is in demand. This review summarizes the research progress of 2D PGs. Different designs and fabrication methods are summarized, including assembling two 1D polarization patterns, a 2D holographic lithography by polarization interference and a micro-pixelated electric field stimulated 2D liquid crystal (LC) structure. Both experiments and analyses are included. The design strategy, diffraction property, merits and demerits are discussed and summarized for the different methods.

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“…The second type of 2D PGs was composed of self-organized micropixelated LC structures, which was fabricated based on cross-assembled substrates with stripe-patterned ITO coatings. 20 The diffraction efficiency of the first and second orders could achieve 87%, but the diffraction patterns could not be controlled by the incident polarization state, lacking a degree of tunability. The third type is based on multibeam interference.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two-Dimensional Polarization Gratings Realized via Photopatterning Liquid Crystals

Liang,

Wei,

Chen

et al. 2024

ACS Appl. Opt. Mater.

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Polarization gratings (PGs) are powerful tools to modulate an incident beam, boosting a wide range of applications in optics and photonics. Compared with onedimensional (1D) PGs, two-dimensional (2D) PGs have an advantage of generating multiple beams, promoting the development of more functional applications. However, the variety of current 2D PGs is relatively limited, and the diffraction efficiency still needs improvement.Here, we propose a way to design multiple types of 2D PGs and improve the diffraction efficiency based on precisely controlled microstructures realized via photopatterning liquid crystals (LCs). The LC 2D PGs can efficiently generate polarization-controllable diffraction orders in different array patterns with a maximum diffraction efficiency of 80.7%, and the experiment results match well with simulations. The proposed LC 2D PGs with outstanding performance may facilitate their applications in spectroscopy, beam steering, optical communication, and modern display fields.

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Tunable two-dimensional polarization grating using a self-organized micropixelated liquid crystal structure

Abstract: A micro-pixelated pattern of a nematic liquid crystal formed by self-organization of topological defects is shown to work as a tunable two-dimensional optical grating.

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Tunable Dynamic Topological Defect Pattern Formation in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Tunable Dynamic Topological Defect Pattern Formation in Nematic Liquid Crystals

A Review of Two-Dimensional Liquid Crystal Polarization Gratings

Two-Dimensional Polarization Gratings Realized via Photopatterning Liquid Crystals

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