| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1495986 | Optical Materials | 2011 | 5 Pages |
This study characterizes the all-optical switching effect in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal transmission gratings. The light-induced switching behaviors of these structures are due to the doped azobenzene-derived LC (azo-LC), which changes the refractive index of phase-separated LC within the polymer composite. This study also optimizes the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal formulation containing 15 wt.% azo-LC and 35 wt.% nematic LC to achieve a grating performance with a tunable diffraction efficiency of 78% and a fast switching-on time (0.5 s) with a relatively small light stimulus of 9 mW/cm2.
Graphical abstractThis study characterizes the all-optical switching effect in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) transmission gratings. Before light irradiation, the intensity of the first order diffraction was set to maximum while the zero order (0th) transmission was minimized. Upon light irradiation, the first order spot size of the He–Ne laser decreased while the zero order spot size increased.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (118 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We characterize optically switchable transmission gratings. ► The grating is fabricated by holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal technique. ► The all-optical switching is generated by the doped azobenzene-derived LC (azo-LC). ► The photoisomerization of azo-LC changes the refractive index of phase-separated LC. ► 78% tunable efficiency and 0.5s response time are achieved under 9 mW/cm2 laser power.
