Optical Tamm states in a hybrid structure with a holographic polymer-liquid crystal grating

ABSTRACT

The reflection spectrum of a hybrid structure formed by a metal film and a holographic grating consisting of a sequence of polymer and liquid crystal (LC) layers is theoretically studied. It is shown that in such a hybrid structure, a narrow dip in the reflection spectrum appears in the region of the grating band gap, which is associated with the formation of an optical Tamm state (OTS). The spectral position of the reflection dip depends on the parameters of the polymer and LC. The type of metal and its thickness affect the value of the OTS reflection dip, but they do not affect its spectral position. The dependence of the OTS wavelength on the LC director orientation makes it possible to control the spectral position of the reflection dip using an external electric or magnetic field.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Optical Tamm states
• liquid crystal
• holographic grating
• reflection coefficient

Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by EOARD Grant 15IOE011. Victor Reshetnyak acknowledges the Fernandes Fellowship (University of Warwick) and hospitality of Peter and Janet Stanworth.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development [15IOE011].