Open AccessTwo-dimensional switchable blue phase gratings manufactured by nanosphere lithography
Author(s) -
Markus Wahle,
Katharina Brassat,
Justus Ebel,
Julius Bürger,
J.K.N. Lindner,
Heinz–S. Kitzerow
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.25.022608
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , diffraction , diffraction efficiency , lithography , diffraction grating , fabrication , optoelectronics , context (archaeology) , wafer , holography , grating , physics , medicine , paleontology , alternative medicine , pathology , biology
Switchable two dimensional liquid crystal diffraction gratings are promising candidates in beam steering devices, multiplexers and holographic displays. For these areas of applications a high degree of integration in optical systems is much sought-after. In the context of diffraction gratings this means that the angle of diffraction should be rather high, which typically poses a problem as the fabrication of small grating periods is challenging. In this paper, we propose the use of nanosphere lithography (NSL) for the fabrication of two-dimensionally structured electrodes with a periodicity of a few micrometers. NSL is based on the self-assembly of micro- or nanometer sized spheres into monolayers. It allows for easy substrate structuring on wafer scale. The manufactured electrode is combined with a liquid crystalline polymer-stabilized blue phase, which facilitates sub-millisecond electrical switching of the diffraction efficiency at a diffraction angle of 21.4°.