title: Phase-shift error as a result of molecular alignment distortions in a liquid-crystal point-diffraction interferometer.
abstract: We report the observation of nematic director distortions around the diffracting element of a liquid-crystal point-diffraction interferometer. The observed director field distortions are similar to those reported in the literature for other liquid-crystal guest-host systems. We show how the alignment distortion changes as a function of the voltage applied to the liquid-crystal cell, leading to an observed phase-shift error. Tailoring of surface anchoring conditions and judicious choice of phase-shift algorithm can improve device accuracy.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Guardalben
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Jain