Open AccessContinuously adjustable period optical grating based on flexoelectric effect of a bent-core nematic liquid crystal in planar cells
Author(s) -
Run Yuan,
Wenjiang Ye,
Hongyan Xing,
Zhenjie Li,
Tingting Sun,
Yubao Sun,
Jiliang Zhu,
Ying Xiang,
Zhiyong Zhang,
Minglei Cai
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.26.004288
Subject(s) - liquid crystal , grating , materials science , optics , planar , diffraction grating , optoelectronics , diffraction , bent molecular geometry , core (optical fiber) , diffraction efficiency , physics , composite material , computer graphics (images) , computer science
The structures of flexodomains, which are similar to optical gratings and can be controlled by the amplitude of applied voltage and temperature, were verified through polarizing microscopy and light diffraction techniques. The properties of the optical grating induced by a bent-core nematic liquid crystal in planar cells with varied cell gaps and pretilt angles were studied. The period of optical grating decreases with the increase in the amplitude of the applied voltage and pretilt angle. In addition, the period increases with the increase in cell gap and temperature. The period of optical grating has a linear relationship with temperature. The continuously adjustable period has the potential to become an important and extended application of optical grating.