Dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable Surface-Relief Liquid-Crystal gratings

The precise phase control of light is essential for advancing photonic devices. This study presents electrically tunable liquid–crystal (LC) surface-relief gratings (SRGs) comprising periodic SU-8 photoresist (PR) structures, showcasing notable electro-optical properties. The SRG comprises a periodi...

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Main Authors: Pravinraj Selvaraj, Chih-Wei Lin, Yi-Xuan Liu, Chi-Tang Huang, Jie-Sin Jhong, Ching-Cherng Sun, Ko-Ting Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Results in Physics
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211379725001913
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author Pravinraj Selvaraj
Chih-Wei Lin
Yi-Xuan Liu
Chi-Tang Huang
Jie-Sin Jhong
Ching-Cherng Sun
Ko-Ting Cheng
author_facet Pravinraj Selvaraj
Chih-Wei Lin
Yi-Xuan Liu
Chi-Tang Huang
Jie-Sin Jhong
Ching-Cherng Sun
Ko-Ting Cheng
author_sort Pravinraj Selvaraj
collection DOAJ
description The precise phase control of light is essential for advancing photonic devices. This study presents electrically tunable liquid–crystal (LC) surface-relief gratings (SRGs) comprising periodic SU-8 photoresist (PR) structures, showcasing notable electro-optical properties. The SRG comprises a periodicity of alternating PR-coated (Region B) and uncoated (Region A) regions. When a DC voltage is applied, Region A exhibits a transmittance shift upon exceeding a threshold voltage, with incomplete recovery when the voltage is reduced. This non-reversible behavior likely stems from ionic migration toward the electrodes, creating an internal electric field. Conversely, Region B acts as an effective shield, stabilizing the electric double layer and minimizing transmittance changes. However, AC stimuli restrict ionic mobility, with higher frequencies leading to increased threshold voltage, particularly in Region B. Analysis of the Stokes parameters further demonstrates that the grating facilitates voltage-controlled tuning of diffraction orders while maintaining polarization stability. By optimizing DC driving schemes, higher diffraction orders can be selectively enhanced, allowing for low-voltage operation and multi-order diffraction, which is crucial for wide-angle holographic displays. These findings lay the groundwork for a robust platform for dynamic light manipulation, paving the way for next-generation tunable photonic systems and advanced display technologies.
format Article
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issn 2211-3797
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Elsevier
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spelling doaj-art-92b7b95d27ce4d7095b52079250c4d4c2025-08-20T02:31:05ZengElsevierResults in Physics2211-37972025-07-017410829710.1016/j.rinp.2025.108297Dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable Surface-Relief Liquid-Crystal gratingsPravinraj Selvaraj0Chih-Wei Lin1Yi-Xuan Liu2Chi-Tang Huang3Jie-Sin Jhong4Ching-Cherng Sun5Ko-Ting Cheng6Department of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, TaiwanDepartment of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, TaiwanDepartment of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, TaiwanDepartment of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, TaiwanDepartment of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, TaiwanDepartment of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, TaiwanCorresponding author.; Department of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, TaiwanThe precise phase control of light is essential for advancing photonic devices. This study presents electrically tunable liquid–crystal (LC) surface-relief gratings (SRGs) comprising periodic SU-8 photoresist (PR) structures, showcasing notable electro-optical properties. The SRG comprises a periodicity of alternating PR-coated (Region B) and uncoated (Region A) regions. When a DC voltage is applied, Region A exhibits a transmittance shift upon exceeding a threshold voltage, with incomplete recovery when the voltage is reduced. This non-reversible behavior likely stems from ionic migration toward the electrodes, creating an internal electric field. Conversely, Region B acts as an effective shield, stabilizing the electric double layer and minimizing transmittance changes. However, AC stimuli restrict ionic mobility, with higher frequencies leading to increased threshold voltage, particularly in Region B. Analysis of the Stokes parameters further demonstrates that the grating facilitates voltage-controlled tuning of diffraction orders while maintaining polarization stability. By optimizing DC driving schemes, higher diffraction orders can be selectively enhanced, allowing for low-voltage operation and multi-order diffraction, which is crucial for wide-angle holographic displays. These findings lay the groundwork for a robust platform for dynamic light manipulation, paving the way for next-generation tunable photonic systems and advanced display technologies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211379725001913Liquid crystalSurface-relief gratingStokes parameterTunable diffraction gratingPhotoresist
spellingShingle Pravinraj Selvaraj
Chih-Wei Lin
Yi-Xuan Liu
Chi-Tang Huang
Jie-Sin Jhong
Ching-Cherng Sun
Ko-Ting Cheng
Dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable Surface-Relief Liquid-Crystal gratings
Results in Physics
Liquid crystal
Surface-relief grating
Stokes parameter
Tunable diffraction grating
Photoresist
title Dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable Surface-Relief Liquid-Crystal gratings
title_full Dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable Surface-Relief Liquid-Crystal gratings
title_fullStr Dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable Surface-Relief Liquid-Crystal gratings
title_full_unstemmed Dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable Surface-Relief Liquid-Crystal gratings
title_short Dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable Surface-Relief Liquid-Crystal gratings
title_sort dynamic control of polarization and diffraction in tunable surface relief liquid crystal gratings
topic Liquid crystal
Surface-relief grating
Stokes parameter
Tunable diffraction grating
Photoresist
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211379725001913
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