Fast-response Pancharatnam-Berry phase optical elements based on polymer-stabilized liquid crystal

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Display Technologies
• Materials Science

Background:

• Pancharatnam-Berry phase optical elements (PBOEs) are crucial for advanced optical applications.
• Achieving fast response times in PBOEs has been a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate fast-response PBOEs using polymer-stabilized liquid crystal (PSLC) technology.
• To investigate the potential of these PBOEs in augmented-reality (AR) displays.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a non-interferometric photo-alignment technique with green laser light to create PB patterns in dye-doped liquid crystals.
• Employed UV light exposure to form polymer networks, creating PSLC.
• Implemented a varifocus PB lens (PBL) using two identical PB lens elements.

Main Results:

• Achieved submillisecond response times for all PBOEs due to the increased elastic constant of PSLC.
• Maintained high diffraction efficiency exceeding 90%.
• Verified the application of a varifocus PBL in fatigue-free AR displays.

Conclusions:

• PSLC is an effective material for developing fast-response PBOEs.
• These PBOEs demonstrate significant potential for diverse display and photonics applications.
• The developed varifocus PBL is suitable for advanced AR display systems.