POLICRYPS structures as switchable optical phase modulators
Optics Express, Vol. 16, Issue 11, pp. 7619-7624 (2008)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.16.007619
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Abstract
We report on the electrically controlled optical phase modulator behavior of light sculptured periodic structures made of polymer slices alternated to films of well aligned Liquid Crystals (POLICRYPS). Arbitrarily polarized light normally incident on the structure experiences a birefringence that depends on the anisotropy of the composite liquid crystalline material and on the geometrical cell parameters. The sample behaves as a retardation plate in good agreement with the Jones matrices formalism. Birefringence tuning is obtained by applying a suitable voltage, while a negligible birefringence variation is detected by increasing the incidence power. This makes POLICRYPS structures suitable as switchable phase retarders for high power laser beams.
© 2008 Optical Society of America
OCIS Codes
(130.3120) Integrated optics : Integrated optics devices
(160.3710) Materials : Liquid crystals
(230.1950) Optical devices : Diffraction gratings
ToC Category:
Optical Devices
History
Original Manuscript: February 21, 2008
Revised Manuscript: March 27, 2008
Manuscript Accepted: March 29, 2008
Published: May 12, 2008
Citation
L. De Sio, N. Tabiryan, R. Caputo, A. Veltri, and C. Umeton, "POLICRYPS structures as switchable optical
phase modulators," Opt. Express 16, 7619-7624 (2008)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-16-11-7619
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