Liquid crystal modulator with ultra-wide dynamic range and adjustable driving voltage.
We demonstrated a reflective-type liquid crystal (LC) intensity modulator in 1550 nm telecomm band. An effective way to compensate the residual phase of a LC cell is proposed. With the adjustment of a true zero-order quarter wave plate and enhanced by total internal reflection induced birefringence, over 53 dB dynamic range was achieved, which is much desired for some high-end optical communication, infrared scene projection applications. In addition, the driving voltages were decreased and adjustable. Mechanical and spectral tolerance measurements show that our LC modulator is quite stable. Further applications of our experimental setup were discussed including bio-sensors and high speed modulators.
Wang
Xing-jun
XJ
Department of Materials Science and Engineering and National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China.
Huang
Zhang-di
ZD
Feng
Jing
J
Chen
Xiang-fei
XF
Liang
Xiao
X
Lu
Yan-qing
YQ
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013685:Telecommunications / Q000295:instrumentation*