Large-angle and high-efficiency tunable phase grating using fringe field switching liquid crystal

We propose a switchable phase grating using fringe field switching (FFS) cells. The FFS phase grating possesses several attractive features: large diffraction angle, high diffraction efficiency, fast response time, and high contrast ratio. It can diffract >32% light to ± 2nd orders with a large diffraction angle of 12.1°. Meanwhile, its response time remains relatively fast even at -40°C. A simulation model is developed to explain the experimental results and good agreement is obtained. We also demonstrate a blazed phase grating to achieve tunable beam steering between 0th, 1st and 2nd orders.