Electrically switchable photonic crystals for polymer dispersed liquid crystal

Abstract

Abstract:

A top-cut hexagonal prism (TCHP) is designed with a height h=3.73cm and a cross angle alfa=66 between side face and the base. By using the TCHP, various photonic crystals (PhCs) are fabricated including symmetrical hexagonal structure, honeycomb structure and asymmetrical structures with elliptical rods in photo-resist film. Large area of electrically switchable PhCs are also obtained in polymer dispersed liquid crystal film. The optical configuration is very simple, stable and repeatable. A good agreement is obtained for PhC structures between theoretical modeling and experimental results. Furthermore, hexagonal far-field diffraction patterns and electrical switching characteristics are also investigated. The smallest droplets of liquid crystals are 10nm. The switching voltage can be decreased to 13.3V/?m. This is very promising for exploring electrically tunable PhC laser and electro-optical switching devices.

Key words: holography, photonic crystal, top-cut hexagonal prism, polymer dispersed liquid crystal, electrically switchable

SUN Xiao-hong, TAO Xiao-ming. Electrically switchable photonic crystals for polymer dispersed liquid crystal[J]. J4, 2010, 27(4): 424-429.

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