Simultaneous chiral polarization and edge enhancement imaging enabled by a single geometric-phase-based element

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Conventional imaging systems often require multiple components for diverse imaging modalities.
• Integrating multiple imaging functions into a single, compact system presents a significant challenge.
• Liquid crystal (LC) elements offer tunable optical properties for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a multifunctional imaging system using a single geometric-phase-based liquid crystal (LC) element.
• To integrate chiral polarization and edge enhancement imaging capabilities into one switchable system.
• To showcase the system's broadband operation and potential for compact, electronically controlled imaging.

Main Methods:

• A single geometric-phase-based LC element with a dual-function phase profile (fork grating and linear grating) was designed and fabricated.
• The LC element was integrated into the frequency domain plane of a 4F imaging system.
• The system's imaging modes (chiral polarization, edge enhancement, conventional) were switched electronically by tuning the LC properties.

Main Results:

• The proposed system successfully integrated chiral polarization and edge enhancement imaging functionalities.
• Switchable imaging between different modes and conventional imaging was achieved using the tunable LC element.
• Experimental results confirmed the broadband operation of the LC element due to geometric phase modulation.

Conclusions:

• A single, tunable LC element can enable multifunctional and switchable imaging, including chiral polarization and edge enhancement.
• The proposed strategy avoids system size increase and mechanical component rotation, offering advantages in compactness and simplicity.
• The electronically controlled, tunable system holds promise for applications in biological imaging, medical detection, and optical computing.