Analysis of periodic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal structures for dynamic hologram applications

Richard L. Sutherland; Lalgudi V. Natarajan; Vincent P. Tondiglia; Timothy J. Bunning; W. Wade Adams

doi:10.1117/12.221231

22 September 1995 Analysis of periodic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal structures for dynamic hologram applications

Richard L. Sutherland, Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Vincent P. Tondiglia, Timothy J. Bunning, W. Wade Adams

Proceedings Volume 2532, Application and Theory of Periodic Structures; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.221231
Event: SPIE's 1995 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1995, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Electro-optical switching of the diffraction efficiency in volume holographic gratings offers the possibility of real-time control and programmability of diffractive optic components. We have recently demonstrated efficient electro-optical control of the diffraction efficiency in gratings consisting of periodic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) planes. We analyze this system as a rectangular index modulation profile, with the low index region being pure polymer, and the high index region consisting of a distribution of ellipsoidal nematic liquid crystal droplets of sub-micrometer size. The results of coupled-wave theory are combined with an analysis of the electro- mechanical behavior of these droplets to model the field-dependent diffraction efficiency. The effects of system parameters on diffraction switching is explored, and a physical interpretation of the switching phenomena in PDLC gratings is elucidated. Insights to the design of practical switchable diffractive optical elements can be obtained from the model.

Citation Download Citation

Richard L. Sutherland, Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Vincent P. Tondiglia, Timothy J. Bunning, and W. Wade Adams "Analysis of periodic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal structures for dynamic hologram applications", Proc. SPIE 2532, Application and Theory of Periodic Structures, (22 September 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.221231

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