Nematic Liquid-Crystal Polarization Gratings by Modification of Surface Alignment
Applied Optics, Vol. 41, Issue 7, pp. 1246-1250 (2002)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.41.001246
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Abstract
The stylus of an atomic force microscope is used to scribe preferred directions for liquid-crystal alignment on a polyimide-coated substrate. The opposing substrate that comprises the liquid-crystal cell is rubbed unidirectionally, resulting in a twisted nematic structure associated with each micrometer-sized pixel. The polarization of light entering from the uniformly rubbed substrate rotates with the nematic director by a different amount in each pixel, and each of the two emerging polarization eigenmodes interferes separately. Two examples are discussed: a square grating that allows only odd-order diffraction peaks and a grating that combines rotation with optical retardation to simulate a blazed grating for circularly polarized light. The gratings can be electrically switched if used with semitransparent electrodes.
© 2002 Optical Society of America
[Optical Society of America ]
OCIS Codes
(050.1950) Diffraction and gratings : Diffraction gratings
(160.3710) Materials : Liquid crystals
Citation
Bing Wen, Rolfe G. Petschek, and Charles Rosenblatt, "Nematic Liquid-Crystal Polarization Gratings by Modification of Surface Alignment," Appl. Opt. 41, 1246-1250 (2002)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-41-7-1246
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