Three-level phase modulator based on orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystals.
Surface-stabilized orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystals (OAFLCs) have a director tilt of theta = 45 degrees and are, with no field applied, negatively uniaxial with the optic axis perpendicular to the cell substrates. We demonstrate that OAFLCs can be utilized to achieve lossless phase modulation with three almost equidistant phase levels. This turns out to be true also for polymer-stabilized OAFLCs, where the polymer network increases the switching speed of the device without affecting the phase modulation appreciably.
Engström
David
D
Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Photonics Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden. david.engstrom@mc2.chalmers.se
Rudquist
Per
P
Bengtsson
Jörgen
J
D'havé
Koen
K
Galt
Sheila
S