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Electrically switchable continuous phase liquid crystal Fresnel zone plate.

Zhiyu Xu1, Camron Nourshargh2, Tianxin Wang2

  • 1Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK. zhiyu.xu@wolfson.ox.ac.uk.

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|April 16, 2026
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

We developed continuous phase Fresnel zone plates using liquid crystals. These advanced optical components offer improved focusing efficiency and switchable, varifocal capabilities for next-generation photonic systems.

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Area of Science:

  • Photonics and Optics
  • Materials Science
  • Liquid Crystal Technology

Background:

  • Conventional binary diffractive elements have limitations in phase profile smoothness.
  • Liquid crystals (LCs) offer tunable optical properties suitable for advanced optical components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design, fabricate, and characterize continuous phase Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) using polymerizable nematic liquid crystals.
  • To demonstrate the performance of continuous phase FZPs with different phase profiles (2π and 4π radians).
  • To compare the efficiency and functionality of continuous phase FZPs with traditional binary FZPs.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing two-photon polymerization direct laser writing to fabricate continuous phase FZPs in LC.
  • Employing polarized optical microscopy and digital holographic microscopy for structural confirmation.
  • Conducting far-field optical measurements to evaluate focusing performance and voltage-dependent behavior.

Main Results:

  • Continuous phase FZPs with 2π and 4π wrapped phase profiles were successfully fabricated.
  • The 2π rad FZP produced a strong focal spot at 0 Vpp, switching off at higher voltages.
  • The 4π rad FZP demonstrated varifocal behavior, switching between focal lengths of 24 mm and 48 mm.
  • Continuous phase FZPs showed nearly double the focusing efficiency compared to binary counterparts.

Conclusions:

  • Continuous phase Fresnel zone plates in liquid crystals offer superior performance over binary designs.
  • The developed FZPs enable switchable, compact, varifocal, and energy-efficient optical components.
  • This technology holds promise for applications in augmented/virtual reality, adaptive optics, and advanced photonic systems.