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Liquid crystal Lyot tunable filter with extended free spectral range
1Department of Electro-Optic Engineering, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel. oaharon@bgu.ac.il
Optics Express
|July 8, 2009
Summary
This study enhances liquid crystal tunable Lyot filters by adding a variable retarder to eliminate unwanted peaks. This innovation extends the filter's dynamic range for improved optical imaging.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Liquid crystal tunable Lyot filters are crucial for spectral selection.
- Existing filters have limitations in dynamic range, affecting performance in certain applications.
- Eliminating higher-order peaks is essential for precise spectral filtering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend the dynamic range of a liquid crystal tunable Lyot filter.
- To develop a method for eliminating third and fourth order peaks.
- To assess the filter's suitability for biomedical optical imaging.
Main Methods:
- Incorporated a liquid crystal variable retarder (LCVR) into the Lyot filter design.
- Developed an exact solution for the liquid crystal director profile.
- Investigated the continuous tunability from 500 nm to 900 nm.
- Proposed voltage control for compensating thickness deviations.
Main Results:
- Successfully extended the dynamic range of the tunable Lyot filter.
- Demonstrated effective elimination of third and fourth order peaks using the LCVR.
- Achieved continuous tunability within the 500-900 nm range with 50-100 nm bandwidth.
- Showcased design flexibility and compensation for fabrication variations.
Conclusions:
- The enhanced Lyot filter offers a wider dynamic range and improved spectral purity.
- The design is suitable for demanding applications like biomedical optical imaging.
- Voltage-controlled LCVRs provide a robust method for optimizing filter performance.
