Optically switchable and axially symmetric half-wave plate based on photoaligned liquid crystal films

•Optically switchable LC half-wave plate.•Photoaligned and axially symmetric LC film.•Two azobenzene doped LC system.

We demonstrate an optically switchable half-wave plate (HWP) composed of a photoaligned and axially symmetric liquid crystal (ASLC) film containing two azobenzene derivatives, methyl red (MR) and 4-butyl-4′-methoxyazobenzene (BMAB). MR is responsible for photoalignment, and BMAB is used for optical tuning and switching the state of polarization (SOP) of probe beam (633 nm He–Ne laser) passing through the MR/BMAB doped ASLC film. The photoaligned ASLC film is first fabricated using a line-shaped laser beam (532 nm) exposure applied on a rotating LC sample. The fabricated ASLC film can passively change the linearly polarized light. Under UV light exposure, the formation of cis-BMAB (bend-like shape) within the film disrupts the LC molecules, switches the LC orientation, and further changes the SOP of the probe beam. Under laser irradiation (532 nm), the formation of trans-BMAB (rod-like shape) reverts the LC orientation back and simultaneously generates cis-MR, helping anchor the LC in the previously photoaligned orientation. The photoaligned MR/BMAB-doped LC HWP can change the linear SOP under alternating UV and visible light exposure.