Liquid-crystal q-plates with a phase core to generation vortex beams with controllable number of singularities

Melnikova, E. A.; Gorbach, D. V.; Muravsky, Alexander; Tolstik, Alexei L.; Slussarenko, S.

doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2022.128661

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 45 publications

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“…Moreover, their internal structure (i.e., the average pointing direction of the molecules) and consequently their optical properties can be finely tuned by an applied voltage. Previous demonstrations of vortex beam generation using LCs have included the formation of inhomogeneously aligned nematic LC structures such as q-plates [39,40] and LC droplets [40,41] that enable the generation of vortex beam with different topological charge. Additionally, umbilics [40,42] formed inside LCs as well as homeotropic LC light valves [40,43] have also been shown to form similar structures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Printed Liquid Crystal Optical Vortex Beam Generators

Li,

Elston,

et al. 2024

Advanced Optical Materials

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This study presents an innovative application of inkjet printing technology in the construction of a switchable optical vortex beam generator. The fabrication process involves drop‐on‐demand printing of liquid crystal (LC) droplets that can generate an optical vortex beam in the far‐field with the application of a voltage. Notably, this vortex beam can be activated and deactivated by manipulating the amplitude of the electric field. Both simulations and experiments are used to determine the optical characteristics of the printed LC devices and the resulting far‐field patterns for different polarizations of light. The study showcases the versatility of the generator in that it can produce both vortex and vector beams, the choice of which is simply determined by the polarization of the input light. This highlight the potential of this printed LC technology for integration into a multitude of optical systems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Printed Liquid Crystal Optical Vortex Beam Generators

Li,

Elston,

et al. 2024

Advanced Optical Materials

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Tunable Liquid Crystal Twisted‐Planar Fresnel Lens for Vortex Topology Determination

Melnikova,

Pantsialeyeva,

Gorbach

et al. 2024

Laser & Photonics Reviews

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The development of straightforward and effective methods to determine the topological charge of phase singular beams is crucial for broadening the applications of optical vortices. Here, a straightforward and elegant method for determining the topological charge of an optical vortex using an innovative switchable achromatic nematic liquid crystal Fresnel lens is proposed. The approach allows for the unambiguous determination of both the absolute value and the sign of the topological charge of a singular beam across a wide range of the visible spectrum, as demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically. The research outcomes are promising for applications in optical information transmission systems, cryptography, and quantum computing.

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