Liquid Crystal Beam Deflector with a Photopolymer Prism

Abstract

Liquid crystal (LC) beam deflector with a photopolymer prism is presented. The polymer surface relief is produced by ultraviolet (UV) exposure and serves as an optical prism. The method for producing this polymer prism is based on the diffusion process of pre-polymer which occurs under inhomogeneous UV exposure. We can obtain a tunable deflecting angle by injecting LC into the cell with the polymer prism formed on one surface of it. Our deflecting device gives complete single-order diffraction and a controllable steering over ∼1° with an applied ac voltage of 5 V.

Keywords:

• beam steering
• deflector
• liquid crystal
• photopolymer
• surface relief

Acknowledgments

The work is supported in parts by the Army Research Office and The Air Force Office of Scientific Research. One of the authors (JHP) acknowledges the Information and Communication National Scholarship Program of the Ministry of Information and Communication of the Republic of Korea.