Work

Polarization-Independent Volume Lens Based on Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Templates

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Liquid crystal (LC) lenses are widely used in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) due to their high optical efficiency, lightweight, ease of fabrication, and electrically adjustable. To meet the demand for miniaturization and reduce the complexity of the optical system, an off-axis focusing lens, like a polarization volume lens (PVL), which realizes the light converging and beam steering with one structure, is proposed. However, the polarization dependence of LC devices greatly reduces the optical efficiency and restricts their application. A polarization-independent volume lens (PIVL) based on cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) templates is proposed to realize polarization-independent of off-axis focusing. It integrates the right-handed CLC and left-handed CLC into a single layer with double photo alignment patterns. The PIVL greatly increases the optical efficiency with low polarization-dependent diffraction. The PIVL may be used not only in AR and VR displays but also in imaging and optical communication systems.

Source: ACS Photonics

DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c02407

Authors: Mingyuan Tang, Weiping Ding, Jianxin Yang, Feng Jiang, Changli Sun, Jiangang Lu

Institution: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Language: English

Topic: Liquid Crystal Research Advancements

Subfield: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China