Liquid-crystal-based polarization volume grating applied for full-color waveguide displays

Weng, Yishi; Zhang, Yuning; Cui, Jingyi; Liu, Ao; Shen, Zhongwen; Li, Xiaohua; Wang, Baoping

doi:10.1364/ol.43.005773

Cited by 100 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Nowadays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have become ubiquitous in our daily lives [7,8]; their applications span from smartphones, pads, computer screens, to large-sized TVs. In addition to displays, LC devices have also found useful applications in beam steering [9][10][11], optical communications [12][13][14], lighting applications [15][16][17], smart windows [18][19][20], tunable metasurfaces [21][22][23], and augmented reality and virtual reality systems [24][25][26], just to name a few. To manipulate electro-optical properties and thus accomplish different device functions, strategies including special electrode designs, compound structures, and spatially variant alignment can be utilized.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel liquid crystal photonic devices enabled by two-photon polymerization [Invited]

He¹,

Tan²,

Chanda³

et al. 2019

Opt. Express

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In addition to displays, liquid crystals (LCs) have also found widespread applications in photonic devices, such as adaptive lens, adaptive optics, and sensors, because of their responses to electric field, temperature, and light. As the fabrication technique advances, more sophisticated devices can be designed and created. In this review, we report recent advances of two-photon polymerization-based direct-laser writing enabled LC devices. Firstly, we describe the basic working principle of two-photon polymerization. With this powerful fabrication technique, we can generate anchoring energy by surface morphology to align LC directors on different form factors. To prove this concept, we demonstrate LC alignment on planar, curvilinear surfaces as well as in three-dimensional volumes. Based on the results, we further propose a novel, ultra-broadband, twisted-nematic diffractive waveplate that can potentially be fulfilled by this technique. Next, we briefly discuss the current status of direct-laser writing on LC reactive mesogens and its potential applications. Finally, we present two design challenges: fabrication yield and polymer relaxation/deformation, remaining to be overcome.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel liquid crystal photonic devices enabled by two-photon polymerization [Invited]

He¹,

Tan²,

Chanda³

et al. 2019

Opt. Express

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show abstract

“…1a. We note that it has a significant advantage of allowing for a wide field of view and looser tolerances for pupil movement compared to other methods using waveguide [7][8][9] , light guide 10 , partially reflective surface 11,12 , or Maxwellian view structure 6,13 . However, there are some challenges make the concept practical.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foveated near-eye display for mixed reality using liquid crystal photonics

Lee

Wang

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Foveated near-eye display is one of the most promising approaches to deliver immersive experience of mixed reality. However, it is challenged to conceive a compact optical system. Here, we introduce a method to use polarization optics via liquid crystal photonics to improve the foveated display performance. We demonstrate a benchtop prototype of this idea. We implement and combine two display modules for peripheral and foveal visions. A peripheral display consists of a polarization selective lens (PSL) module, a polarization selective diffuser (PSD), and a slanted projection system. An 80$$^\circ$$ ∘ diagonal field of view is achieved by on-axis optical configuration of the PSL module and the PSD. A foveal holographic display is composed of a spatial light modulator (SLM), a volume grating lens, and a microelectromechanical system mirror possibly in combination with a switchable polarization selective grating module. The holographic reconstruction using the SLM enables accurate focus cue generation and high resolution above 30 cycles per degree within 15$$^\circ$$ ∘ by 15$$^\circ$$ ∘ field of view. We explore and discuss the liquid crystal photonics in the prototype that has a novel optical design using volume gratings with polarization selectivity.

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“…Considering that other photonic systems exist that exhibit similar properties to ChLCs, such as helical photonic crystals and metamaterials, we believe that a similar optical effect should be achievable in those systems as well 45 . However, we believe LCs to be one of the most promising candidates to make practical devices, as only a two-dimensional patterning is required to realize the device, and solution-processed films can be made 36,46 . By combining the stimuli-responsive properties of LCs, we foresee the development of HOEs with even more advanced functionalities, such as those that enable dynamic control of properties by an electric field 47,48 , and those that responded to the change in ambient environment [49][50][51] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bragg-Berry flat reflectors for transparent computer-generated holograms and waveguide holography with visible color playback capability

Cho

Ono

Yoshida

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Various approaches are being pursued to realize compact optical elements with the ability to manipulate light, but it is difficult to simultaneously achieve high reflectivity and the ability to see through the element. Here, we present a reflective computer-generated hologram that is completely transparent in the visible, based on the Berry (geometric) phase in a self-organizing Bragg reflector. The Bragg reflector has a helical dielectric tensor distribution with the phase information imprinted in the distribution of the optic axis on the substrate. The structure possesses only a single Fourier component and high-order reflections are suppressed; thus, the device appears completely transparent by setting the main reflection band outside the visible range for all angles of incidence accessible by ambient light. On the other hand, the encoded phase information can be played back using visible light by increasing the accessible incidence angle, which we demonstrate experimentally by (i) attaching a coupling prism, and (ii) integrating the device in a waveguide. Bragg-Berry reflectors thus enable a new route to realize advanced optical elements with no apparent reflection in the visible region. Conventional optical systems use bulky lenses and mirrors to control light propagation, but the spread of wearable devices is pushing the need for compact optical elements with the capability to control light 1. One of the most intensively pursued technologies is the metasurface, in which sub-wavelength structures are used to control the amplitude, phase, and polarization of impinging light 2,3. For a given material and wavelength, arbitrary complex transmittance can be realized by nanostructure design; thus, various, and often numerous functions can be integrated in an ultra-small device by designing the distribution of nanostructures. In particular, algorithms developed for computer-generated holography (CGH) can be employed to numerically obtain the complex transmittance distribution required to achieve a particular optical functionality 4,5. Metasurface deflectors 2,6,7 , lenses 6-11 , holograms 11-16 , and beam shapers 17 , both operating in infrared (IR) and visible wavelengths, have been demonstrated. Another approach to control light is to use the geometric phase or Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) phase in anisotropic media 18,19. When circularly polarized (CP) light propagates through an anisotropic medium with half-wave retardation, the light flips its polarization handedness as well as acquires a phase that is proportional to twice the azimuthal orientation of the optic axis 20-28. Thus, various optical functions can be realized by appropriately designing the optic axis distribution. Liquid crystals (LCs) are particularly attractive materials to realize devices based on the PB phase effect 21-28 , since they possess the potential for the fabrication of large-area devices by coating the materials on a substrate with appropriate patterning. Deflectors 22-24 , phase plates for vector coronagraphy 25 , and holograms 26-28 have...

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Liquid-crystal-based polarization volume grating applied for full-color waveguide displays

Cited by 100 publications

References 14 publications

Novel liquid crystal photonic devices enabled by two-photon polymerization [Invited]

Novel liquid crystal photonic devices enabled by two-photon polymerization [Invited]

Foveated near-eye display for mixed reality using liquid crystal photonics

Bragg-Berry flat reflectors for transparent computer-generated holograms and waveguide holography with visible color playback capability

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