Optimization of optical switching with a ferroelectric liquid crystal modulator

M. M. Sánchez-López; P. García-Martínez; P. Velásquez; I. Moreno

doi:10.1117/12.734672

20 September 2007 Optimization of optical switching with a ferroelectric liquid crystal modulator

M. M. Sánchez-López, P. García-Martínez, P. Velásquez, I. Moreno

Proceedings Volume 6695, Optics and Photonics for Information Processing; 669505 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.734672
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In this work we present a simple method for the characterization of a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) optical modulator and the optimization of its contrast ratio. This device acts as switchable wave-plate, where the orientation of the principal axes rotates under the action of an applied bipolar voltage. It is designed to produce a binary intensity modulation when the phase shift introduced between the principal axes is equal to 180 degrees (half wave-plate). We present a simple technique to optimize its response when the phase shift differs from this ideal value, in order to produce a highly contrasted intensity modulation. The technique involves using elliptically polarized light and requires the use of an additional quarter wave-plate in front of the FLC modulator. We represent the polarization transformations on the Poincaré sphere to provide a physical explanation of the FLC optical performance, both in the standard operational mode as well as in the optimized configuration for non-ideal phase shifts. These situations are experimentally demonstrated using a commercially available ferroelectric liquid crystal cell and two He-Ne lasers with wavelengths of 543 nm and 633 nm respectively.

Citation Download Citation

M. M. Sánchez-López, P. García-Martínez, P. Velásquez, and I. Moreno "Optimization of optical switching with a ferroelectric liquid crystal modulator", Proc. SPIE 6695, Optics and Photonics for Information Processing, 669505 (20 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.734672

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available