title: Defect-free switchable phase grating.
abstract: Liquid-crystal-filled polymer structure devices offer a very low cost switchable spatial phase modulator. The phase profile set by the polymer structure may be varied or switched on/off with an applied field. Defects have been observed in some devices giving rise to spurious diffraction peaks. Computational modeling of the liquid-crystal director profile suggests that these defects might be suppressed if the dimensions of the liquid-crystal region are small. Experimental measurements confirm that this approach is effective in controlling the defects. This provides a route to fabrication of low-cost switchable complex diffractive devices.
authors.affiliation: L-lectronics, Ltd., 48 Wilton Way, Exeter EX1 3UR, United Kingdom. galester@eurobell.co.uk
authors.forename: Garry A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Coulston
authors.forename: Adrian M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Strudwick