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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 20, Iss. 16 — Jul. 30, 2012
  • pp: 18449–18458

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 20 > Issue 16 > Page 18449

Twisted nematic liquid crystal polarization grating with the handedness conservation of a circularly polarized state

Michinori Honma and Toshiaki Nose  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 20, Issue 16, pp. 18449-18458 (2012)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.20.018449


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Abstract

We propose a liquid crystal (LC) polarization grating that conserves the polarization state of incident light, wherein the variation range of the twist angle is 2π. The design scheme for theoretically 100% diffraction efficiency of the first-diffraction order is derived, and a prototype LC grating is evaluated. Under zero voltage, the fabricated LC grating exhibits high efficiency of the first-order diffraction, validating the proposed design scheme. The high efficiency of the second-order diffraction can also be achieved under a high voltage so that the LC director in the midplane is vertical to the substrate plane. The circular polarization sense of the second-order diffraction is identical to that of the incident light as in the case of the first-order diffraction. This grating functions as a beam deflector, steering the input beam in three different directions (zeroth-, first-, and second-order diffractions) by adjusting the applied voltage.

© 2012 OSA

OCIS Codes
(160.3710) Materials : Liquid crystals
(230.3720) Optical devices : Liquid-crystal devices

ToC Category:
Optical Devices

History
Original Manuscript: May 16, 2012
Revised Manuscript: July 9, 2012
Manuscript Accepted: July 14, 2012
Published: July 27, 2012

Citation
Michinori Honma and Toshiaki Nose, "Twisted nematic liquid crystal polarization grating with the handedness conservation of a circularly polarized state," Opt. Express 20, 18449-18458 (2012)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-20-16-18449


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