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Airy beams generated by a binary phase element made of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals
1School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
Optics Express
|December 10, 2009
Summary
Researchers created an electrically switchable pattern using polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) to generate Airy beams. This method allows for tunable beam generation and pattern erasure, offering versatile optical control.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Special optical beams like Airy beams exhibit unique propagation-invariant and self-healing properties.
- Liquid crystal devices offer tunable optical functionalities through electrical control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate an electrically switchable binary phase pattern for generating Airy beams.
- To demonstrate the tunable deflection and erasure capabilities of the fabricated device.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) to create a programmable binary phase pattern via lithography.
- Applied voltage to the PDLC device to control the refractive index and switch the phase pattern.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated Airy beams with a programmable lithographic system.
- Observed a transverse deflection of 1.3 mm for the main lobe of the Airy beam over 24 cm propagation.
- Demonstrated erasure of the binary PDLC pattern by applying a suitable voltage, achieving index matching.
Conclusions:
- The developed PDLC-based binary phase pattern is an effective method for generating switchable Airy beams.
- The electrically tunable nature of the device allows for versatile control over beam properties.
- This approach provides a foundation for generating other specialized optical beams with electrical tunability.
