title: Gradient polymer network liquid crystal with a large refractive index change.
abstract: A simple approach for preparing gradient polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) with a large refractive index change is demonstrated. To control the effective refractive index at a given cell position, we applied a voltage to a homogeneous cell containing LC/diacrylate monomer mixture to generate the desired tilt angle and then stabilize the LC orientation with UV-induced polymer network. By varying the applied voltage along with the cells' movement, a PNLC with a gradient refractive index distribution is obtained. In comparison with conventional approaches using patterned photomask or electrode, our method offers following advantages: large refractive index change, freedom to design specific index profile, and large panel capability. Potential applications include tunable-focus lenses, prism gratings, phase modulators, and other adaptive photonic devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Nano-Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. hongwen@jbnu.ac.kr
authors.forename: Hongwen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Su
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Shin-Tson
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D017785:Photons; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012031:Refractometry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; C422409:liquid crystal polymer