Wide-field-of-view nanoscale Bragg liquid crystal polarization gratings

Xiao Xiang; Jihwan Kim; Michael J. Escuti

doi:10.1117/12.2303994

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15 March 2018 Wide-field-of-view nanoscale Bragg liquid crystal polarization gratings

Xiao Xiang, Jihwan Kim, Michael J. Escuti

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Proceedings Volume 10555, Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies XIII; 1055508 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2303994
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2018, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Here, we demonstrate a liquid crystal (LC) polymer Bragg polarization grating (PG) with large angular band- width and high efficiency in transmission-mode for 532 nm wavelength and 400 nm period. The field-of-view (FOV ) is increased significantly while preserving high diffraction efficiency by realizing a monolithic grating comprising two different slants. Using rigorous coupled-wave analysis simulation, we identified a structure with 48° FOV and 70% average first-order efficiency. We then experimentally fabricated and characterized the grating with a photo-aligned LC polymer network, also known as reactive mesogens. We measured 40° FOV and nearly 80% average diffraction efficiency. With this broadened and fairly uniform angular response, this wide FOV Bragg PG is a compelling option for large deflection-angle applications, including near-eye display in augmented reality systems, waveguide based illumination, and beam steering.

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Xiao Xiang, Jihwan Kim, and Michael J. Escuti "Wide-field-of-view nanoscale Bragg liquid crystal polarization gratings", Proc. SPIE 10555, Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies XIII, 1055508 (15 March 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2303994

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