Open AccessConcept of chiral image storage and selection based on liquid crystals by circular polarization
Author(s) -
Sang Hyun Lee,
SinHyung Lee,
SeUm Kim,
Sujie Kang
Publication year - 2019
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.27.011661
Subject(s) - polarizer , circular polarization , liquid crystal , optics , polarization (electrochemistry) , materials science , retarder , photonic crystal , optoelectronics , birefringence , physics , chemistry , composite material , microstrip
We demonstrate a liquid crystal (LC)-based optical device with the polarization switching capability, which can store two different chiral images to be selected according to the polarization state of the viewing polarizer. The chiral dual-image device consists of chiral surface patterns for image storage and the LC layer as a tunable phase retarder. Each chiral surface pattern behaves as a helical photonic crystal that reflects circularly polarized light at a specific wavelength. Depending on the applied voltage across the LC layer, either a right-handed or a left-handed circular polarization image appears, and thus one of the two stored images can be selectively read by the polarization state. Our concept of the LC-based chiral image storage and selection provides simplicity in fabrication, flexibility in design, and high optical efficiency. It will be directly applicable for reflective-type 3D displays, color filters, and anti-counterfeiting devices.