Switchable lenses using nematic liquid crystals arranged to give polarisation independent operation

What is it about?

Nematic liquid crystals can be used to make switchable optical elements, such as lenses, prisms and gratings. However, the phase modulation is for a single polarisation of the incident light. Often, two orthogonal devices are used in series. Here, a new polarisation independent design is demonstrated where the opposing surfaces of a single device operate on the orthogonal polarisations. The device uses birefringent optical structures embossed onto the inner surfaces. These structures are formed from a reactive mesogen that is index matched to both indices of the nematic liquid crystal, and then cured to give the optical structures.

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Why is it important?

Switchable optical lenses are used in camera phones to smart contact lenses. Usually, such systems need to have light weight and low power. The geometry here provides high efficiency lenses that fulfil that need.

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