Two-Dimensional Polarization Gratings Realized via Photopatterning Liquid Crystals

Zhijie Liang, Bing Yan Wei, Weiqi Chen, Xiucheng Guo, Sheng Liu, Peng Li, Dandan Wen, Kaikai Gao, Jianlin Zhao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polarization gratings (PGs) are powerful tools to modulate an incident beam, boosting a wide range of applications in optics and photonics. Compared with one-dimensional (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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1287-1294
Number of pages8
JournalACS Applied Optical Materials
Volume2
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 26 Jul 2024

Keywords

  • diffraction patterns
  • liquid crystals
  • photoalignment techniques
  • polarization controllability
  • two-dimensional polarization gratings

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Two-Dimensional Polarization Gratings Realized via Photopatterning Liquid Crystals'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this