Polarization-selective Bragg diffractive wavelengths in holographic structures composed of liquid crystal and polymer phases

Abstract

Compact and easy-manufacturable wavelength selectors are desired for various types of optical equipments. Our optical wavelength selectors, which possess holographic structure consisting of liquid crystal (LC) and polymer phases, or socalled holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals (HPDLCs), are switchable in Bragg diffraction wavelength due to polarization states. In the HPDLCs, LC submicrometer droplets are spatially periodically dispersed in polymer matrix with highly-orientational order of LC molecules in the droplets. Such structure is not difficult to be fabricated, that is, it is formed by photo-polymerization and consequent phase separation due to interferometric exposure. Furthermore, the orientation of LC is self-organized during the phase separation process. © 2014 SPIE.