Programmable spatially-varying linearly polarized light with high degree of polarization for planar liquid crystal photonics

Gao，Meini1,2; Cheng，Ming2,3,4; Cai，Wenfeng2,3,4; Liu，Ying1; Dai，Haitao1; Liu，Yan Jun2,3,4

2024-08-01

10.1016/j.optlaseng.2024.108254

Optics and Lasers in Engineering   影响因子和分区

0143-8166

The use of liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LC-SLM) to manipulate the polarization of the light has been widely explored for different applications, including optical field manipulation, maskless lithography, polarization imaging, and LC planar-optics, among others. Precise polarization manipulation of LC-SLM is therefore highly demanded. Here, we introduce a high-efficiency approach for calibrating the polarization manipulation of a parallel-aligned LC-SLM. The approach revolves around the primary calibration criterion, the degree of polarization (DoP). Through parameter optimization to generate the calibration grayscale, a remarkable DoP as high as 97 % can be attained, with a sustained DoP level of up to 93.7 %. Experimental results showcase outstanding DoP uniformity in the modulated beam achieved with the calibrated LC-SLM. The root mean square error (RMSE) of polarization for modulated light from LC-SLM is about 0.018. A pixelated polarization calibration approach is proposed to enable efficient and precise programming of spatially-varying linearly polarized light (SVLPL), which can be further verified by the implementation of the Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) lens. The resolution of the fabricated LC planar optical elements with our setup can reach 1.54 μm. The programmable SVLPL with high DoP and resolution is potentially useful for many applications in planar optics and vectorial optical field manipulation.

Liquid crystal Planar optical element Polarization calibration Spatial light modulator Vector beam

SCI ; EI

英语

其他

20241916030831

Light modulation ; Light modulators ; Light polarization ; Liquid crystals ; Mean square error ; Optical signal processing

Light/Optics:741.1 ; Mathematical Statistics:922.2

ENGINEERING

2-s2.0-85191999470

Scopus

1.Tianjin Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials Physics and Preparing Technology,School of Science,Tianjin University,Tianjin,300072,China
2.Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen 518055,China
3.Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for High Resolution Light Field Display and Technology,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
4.State Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber and Cable Manufacture Technology,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China

Gao，Meini,Cheng，Ming,Cai，Wenfeng,et al. Programmable spatially-varying linearly polarized light with high degree of polarization for planar liquid crystal photonics[J]. Optics and Lasers in Engineering,2024,179.

Gao，Meini,Cheng，Ming,Cai，Wenfeng,Liu，Ying,Dai，Haitao,&Liu，Yan Jun.(2024).Programmable spatially-varying linearly polarized light with high degree of polarization for planar liquid crystal photonics.Optics and Lasers in Engineering,179.

Gao，Meini,et al."Programmable spatially-varying linearly polarized light with high degree of polarization for planar liquid crystal photonics".Optics and Lasers in Engineering 179(2024).