A Compact Full 2π Flexoelectro‐Optic Liquid Crystal Phase Modulator

Wang, Xiuze; Fells, Julian A. J.; Shi, Yuping; Ali, Taimoor; Welch, Chris; Mehl, Georg H.; Wilkinson, Timothy D.; Booth, Martin J.; Morris, Stephen M.; Elston, Steve J.

Abstract

Wavefront shaping, which is often achieved using liquid crystal (LC) spatial light modulators, is particularly important for a wide range of applications including laser microfabrication and micromanipulation, microscopy, and quantum optics. In this work, results are presented for the first integrated LC phase modulator that combines a flexoelectro‐optic LC layer (that behaves as a switchable λ/2 waveplate) with a polymerized reactive mesogen layer (which acts as a λ/4 waveplate) and a mirrored substrate that creates a double‐pass geometry. For a flexoelectro‐optic LC layer that exhibits switching angles of ±45° at a voltage of ±85 V a full 2π phase modulation is observed when driven by a 1 kHz waveform. Experimental results are also compared with modeling using Jones calculus of the amplitude and phase variation when the LC and the polymer layer deviate from their desired waveplate conditions. The development and demonstration of an integrated device is particularly significant for applications where size and cost are critical factors such as in LiDAR for the Space and Automotive industries, respectively.

Citation

Wang, X., Fells, J. A. J., Shi, Y., Ali, T., Welch, C., Mehl, G. H., Wilkinson, T. D., Booth, M. J., Morris, S. M., & Elston, S. J. (2020). A Compact Full 2π Flexoelectro‐Optic Liquid Crystal Phase Modulator. Advanced Materials Technologies, 5(12), Article 2000589. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202000589

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 22, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 9, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Deposit Date: Nov 15, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 16, 2020
• Journal: Advanced Materials Technologies
• Print ISSN: 2365-709X
• Electronic ISSN: 2365-709X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 12
• Article Number: 2000589
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202000589
• Keywords: Chiral nematic liquid crystal; Flexoelectricity; Phase modulator; Spatial light modulator
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3661383
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/admt.202000589