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arXiv · 1906.03469

Multichannel remote polarization control enabled by nanostructured Liquid Crystalline Networks

Simone Zanotto·Fabrizio Sgrignuoli·Sara Nocentini·Daniele Martella·Camilla Parmigiani·Diederik S. Wiersma
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Abstract

In this article we demonstrate that a grating fabricated through nanoscale volumetric crosslinking of a liquid crystalline polymer enables remote polarization control over the diffracted channels. This functionality is a consequence of the responsivity of liquid crystal networks upon light stimuli. Tuning the photonic response of the device is obtained thanks to both a refractive index and a shape change of the grating elements induced by a molecular rearrangement under irradiation. In particular, the material anisotropy allows for nontrivial polarization state management over multiple beams. Absence of any liquid component and a time response down to 0.2 milliseconds make our device appealing in the fields of polarimetry and optical communications.

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Simone Zanotto, Fabrizio Sgrignuoli, Sara Nocentini, Daniele Martella, Camilla Parmigiani, Diederik S. Wiersma. 2019-06-08. Multichannel remote polarization control enabled by nanostructured Liquid Crystalline Networks. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5096648

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