Fast Switching Dual-Frequency Liquid Crystal Cells with High Pretilt Angle, Driven by an Amplitude and Frequency Modulated Voltage

KSU.229

Abstract: In the past, techniques used for switching in devices such as phase modulators, scanners, optical shutters and the like  resulted in too long a period for switching between planar and homeotropic configurations of nematic liquid crystal cells.  This invention offers a technique to shorten the switching time (for example, 0.1-0.5 ms for a cell of thickness 12 m) making the liquid crystal cell applicable for high-speed optical devices.  This invention provides fast reorientation of the liquid crystal within the cell through use of the high pretilt angle between the director and the substrate, dual-frequency nematic liquid crystal, and the driving voltage with special short pulses.

Applications:

•          Phase modulators and retarders
•          Beam steering devices, scanners
•          Optical shutters, etc.
  

Advantages:

•          Fast switching of liquid crystal cells
  

Inventors:   Dr. Andrii B. Golovin, Dr. Sergii V. Shiyanovskii, Dr. Oleg D. Lavrentovich