Xiaobing Shang

Electrically Controllable Liquid Crystal Component for Efficient Light Steering

In this paper, we present an electrically controllable microoptical component for light beam steering and light intensity distribution built on the combination of nematic liquid crystal (LC) and polymer microprisms. Polymer microprism arrays are fabricated using soft embossing with elastic polydimethylsiloxane molds and ultraviolet curable resins. Surface profiling measurements show that the dimensions of the replicated prisms closely approximate those of the master prism. Two different LC alignment techniques were employed: hybrid rubbing alignment and obliquely evaporated SiO2 alignment, both of which result in proper alignment of the LC molecules along the prism groove direction. The operation voltage of the LC components is relatively low (10 Vrms). The steering angle of a green laser beam was experimentally studied as a function of applied voltage, and a steering range of 3° was found. The active LC components also effectively deflect a collimated white light beam over a steering angle of about 2° with an efficiency of 27%-33%. All the optical measurements are in agreement with theoretical calculations based on Snells law.

On the effect of alignment layers on blue phase liquid crystals

In the present work, the effect of alignment layers on blue phase liquid crystals was investigated. It was found that homogeneous alignment layers have profound selective influence on blue phase II (BPII). In the absence of alignment layers, BPII domains were randomly oriented and showed weak Bragg reflection in the UV, whereas with assistance of anchoring uniform domains with sharp Bragg reflection in the visible range appeared. On the other hand, the magnitude of Bragg shift in response to alignment layers in BPI is negligible. Domains of BP with alignment layers exhibit sharp Bragg reflection peaks (with FWHM < 15 nm), with very vivid colors and possessing fast switching speeds (<5 ×10−4 s). This simple method of selectively assisting one of the cubic phases is expected to be advantageous in the comparative studies of the two phases.

Tunable Optical Beam Deflection Via Liquid Crystal Gradient Refractive Index Generated By Highly Resistive Polymer Film

An effective tunable optical beam deflection device based on a periodic gradient refractive index (GRIN) profile is reported, which is capable of achieving a 5° beam deflection with an angle resolution of 0.5°. The operation voltage is around 6 Vpp, and the maximum operation frequency is 2 kHz. The GRIN beam deflection device is induced by periodically varying liquid crystal orientations. A highly resistive and patterned polymer film with a resistivity of 11 GΩ/sq is deposited to achieve a linear potential distribution between the two addressing electrodes in every unit cell. The resulting electric field pattern across the device is sawtooth-like. Both the device fabrication and the driving interconnection circuit are very simple. The advanced materials and the techniques used in this device are also applicable to other tunable optical and photonic components (such as adaptive lenses and light intensity modulators) by adapting the electrode design and the voltage signals.

Laser ablation of micro-photonic structures for efficient light collection and distribution

In this work we report the fabrication of polymer micro-photonic gratings for use in liquid-crystal based actively tunable electro-optic components. The gratings are produced by moving the sample surface sideways across a perpendicularly impinging KrF excimer laser beam (λ = 248 nm), which is shaped by specially designed triangular and trapezoidal masks. To obtain correctly dimensioned and smooth grating surfaces, different materials (SU-8, polycarbonate, Epoclad and Epocore) are subjected to the laser ablation with optimized laser processing parameters. The resulting grating structures on Epocore exhibit the best surface roughness and dimensional fidelity. Optionally, spacers for maintaining the cell gap of the superimposed liquid crystal layer can also be fabricated in the same process. Two different methods were demonstrated: overlapping ablation and double mask ablation. Micro-grating structures were produced that deflect a monochromatic (543 nm) laser beam to the theoretically predicted 11th order with an angle of 7°.

Replicating micro-optical structures using soft embossing technique

In this article we report the fabrication of large arrays of micro-optical gratings using soft embossing with elastic Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds and ultra-violet (UV) curable resins. Three different kinds of resins are used to replicate the master gratings in a process akin to a roll to roll process. The optical surface profiling measurements show that the dimensions of the replicated gratings closely approximate those of the master gratings. Optical diffractions of these gratings are also measured and analyzed.

Reflective liquid crystal hybrid beam-steerer

We report on efficient optical beam-steering using a hot-embossed reflective blazed grating in combination with liquid crystal. A numerical simulation of the electrical switching characteristics of the liquid crystal is performed and the results are used in an FDTD optical simulator to analyze the beam deflection. The corresponding experiment on the realized device is performed and is found to be in good agreement. Beam deflection angles of 4.4° upon perpendicular incidence are found with low applied voltages of 3.4 V. By tilting the device with respect to the incoming optical beam it can be electronically switched such that the beam undergoes either total internal reflection or reflection with a tunable angle.

Fast switching cholesteric liquid crystal optical beam deflector with polarization independence

Optical beam deflectors based on the combination of cholesteric liquid crystals and polymer micro gratings are reported. Dual frequency cholesteric liquid crystal (DFCh-LC) is adopted to accelerate the switching from the homeotropic state back to the planar state. Polarization independent beam steering components are realized whose transmission versus the polarizing angle only varies 4.4% and 2.6% for the planar state and the homeotropic state, respectively. A response time of 451 ms is achieved for DFCh-LC-grating beam deflectors, which is fast compared to other nematic LC beam steerers with similar LC thickness.

Reverse replication of circular micro grating structures with soft lithography

In this work, the reverse replication of circular micro grating structures on glass substrates is implemented using an ultra-violet curable resin and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold which has the same structure as the original circular grating master. Two different techniques (“double PDMS replication” and “polymer- PDMS replication”) are employed to fabricate those reversed circular micro grating structures. Surface profiling measurements show that in case of the polymer-PDMS replication the dimensions of the resulting circular grating structures closely approximate those of the master, while the grating height is slightly decreased in case of the double PDMS replication technique, mainly due to the use of the releasing agent. For both methods, the grating slopes of the circular gratings are almost unchanged, leading to the desired optical performance. The two techniques are quite useful for more accurate reverse replications of micro optical and photonic structures.