Low-voltage light beam steering by planar dual-domain nematic liquid crystal deflector

Abstract

The paper presents a low-voltage dual-domain liquid-crystal element with planar and homeotropic director orientations that performs the functions of an optical deflector. Its operation principle is based on the revealed phenomenon of the spatially displaced refractive interface in liquid crystal cells with a patterned current-conducting layer under the effect of a low-frequency electric field. Linear displacement of a light wave reflected from the rectilinear interface is demonstrated experimentally and comes to ∼ 7 μm/V. Optical components of this type offer much promise for the development and manufacturing of highly functional integrated photonics devices and of advanced control systems for optical radiation.