Temperature dependence of optical anisotropy of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal transmission gratings

Magnetically tunable optical diffraction gratings based on a ferromagnetic liquid crystal

Transmission optical diffraction gratings composed of periodic slices of a ferromagnetic liquid crystal and a conventional photoresist polymer are demonstrated. Dependence of diffraction efficiencies of various diffraction orders on an in-plane external magnetic field is investigated. It is shown that diffraction properties can be effectively tuned by magnetic fields as low as a few mT. The tuning mechanism is explained in the framework of a simple empirical model and also by numerical simulations based on the rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA). The obtained results provide a proof of principle of operation of magnetically tunable liquid crystalline diffractive optical elements applicable in contactless schemes for control of optical signals.

Multiple Bragg Diffractions with Different Wavelengths and Polarizations Composed of Liquid Crystal/Polymer Periodic Phases

We first fabricated holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (HPDLCs) that produce multiple Bragg diffractions with different polarization states for every angle of incidence, through a photopolymerization-induced phase separation by one-time interferential exposure. The polarizations of the Bragg diffractions were well-controlled at individual wavelengths in the fabrication process by the compositional ratio of LCs to monomers. The raw mixtures of extremely low-functionality monomers having very different viscosities were used to reduce the domain size in phase separation and subsequently to form elaborate periodic structures of the LC and polymer phases. A cross-linker (1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidione) and a prepolymer with urethane groups were employed to strengthen the polymer network. Note that the diffractions of our HPDLCs are regarded as not purely but mostly Bragg type, according to the evaluation with the established criteria. The devices, which are monolithic but versatile in diffractive behaviors, have advantages of simple manufacturing and handling.

Tolerance of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal memory for gamma-ray irradiation

The radiation-hardened characteristics of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) memory are discussed in the application for an optically reconfigurable gate array. The radiation experiments are conducted using a cobalt 60 gamma radiation source to examine the tolerance of a 100 Mrad total ionizing dose for the HPDLC memory. The optical properties are compared in the conditions before and after gamma-ray irradiation for the fabricated HPDLC gratings. The effects of gamma-ray irradiation on the internal grating structure are also investigated by polarization optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations. The HPDLC memory irradiated by a 100 Mrad total ionizing dose demonstrates the implementation of the optical reconfiguration in a gate-array VLSI.

A Comprehensive Study of Photorefractive Properties in Poly(ethylene glycol) Dimethacrylate- Ionic Liquid Composites

A detailed investigation of the recording, as well as the readout of transmission gratings in composites of poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) and ionic liquids is presented. Gratings with a period of about 5.8 micrometers were recorded using a two-wave mixing technique with a coherent laser beam of a 355-nm wavelength. A series of samples with grating thicknesses d0=10…150 micrometers, each for two different exposure times, was prepared. The recording kinetics, as well as the post-exposure properties of the gratings were monitored by diffracting a low intensity probe beam at a wavelength of 633 nm for Bragg incidence. To obtain a complete characterization, two-beam coupling experiments were conducted to clarify the type and the strength of the recorded gratings. Finally, the diffraction efficiency was measured as a function of the readout angle at different post-exposure times. We found that, depending on the parameters, different grating types (pure phase and/or mixed) are generated, and at elevated thicknesses, strong light-induced scattering develops. The measured angular dependence of the diffraction efficiency can be fitted using a five-wave coupling theory assuming an attenuation of the gratings along the thickness. For grating thicknesses larger than 85 microns, light-induced scattering becomes increasingly important. The latter is an obstacle for recording thicker holograms, as it destroys the recording interference pattern with increasing sample depth. The obtained results are valuable in particular when considering PEGDMA-ionic liquid composites in the synthesis of advanced polymer composites for applications, such as biomaterials, conductive polymers and holographic storage materials.

Formation of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal memory by angle-multiplexing recording for optically reconfigurable gate arrays

Formation of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) memory for an optically reconfigurable gate array is discussed for angle-multiplexing recording by controlling the laser interference exposure in LC composites. The successive laser illumination system to record the various configuration contexts at the specified region and angle in HPDLC memory is constructed by using the combination of a half-mirror and a photomask placed on the motorized stages under the control of a personal computer. The effect of laser exposure energy on the formation of holographic memory is investigated by measuring diffraction intensity as a function of exposure energy during the grating formation process and observing the internal grating structure by scanning electron microscopy. The optical reconfiguration in the gate-array VLSI is executed for configuration contexts of OR and NOR operations shown as logical operators that are reconstructed by laser irradiation at different incident angles for a specified region in the HPDLC memory.

Temperature dependence of anisotropic diffraction in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal memory

Grating devices using photosensitive organic materials play an important role in the development of optical and optoelectronic systems. High diffraction efficiency and polarization dependence achieved in a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) grating are expected to provide polarization-controllable optical devices, such as a holographic memory for optically reconfigurable gate arrays (ORGAs). However, the optical property is affected by the thermal modulation around the transition temperature (T(ni)) where the liquid crystal (LC) changes from nematic to isotropic phases. The temperature dependence of the diffraction efficiency in HPDLC grating is investigated using four types of LC composites comprised of LCs and monomers having different physical properties such as T(ni) and anisotropic refractive indices. The holographic memory formed by the LC with low anisotropic refractive index and LC diacrylate monomer implements optical reconfiguration for ORGAs at a high temperature beyond T(ni) of LC.

Formation of temperature dependable holographic memory using holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal

Grating devices using photosensitive organic materials play an important role in the development of optical and optoelectronic systems. High diffraction efficiency and polarization dependence achieved in a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) grating are expected to provide polarization controllable optical devices, such as the holographic memory for optically reconfigurable gate arrays (ORGAs). However, the optical property is affected by the thermal modulation around the transition temperature (T(ni)) that the liquid crystal (LC) changes from nematic to isotropic phases. The temperature dependence of the diffraction efficiency in HPDLC grating is discussed with two types of LC composites comprised of isotropic and LC diacrylate monomers. The holographic memory formed by the LC and LC diacrylate monomer performs precise reconstruction of the context information for ORGAs at high temperatures more than 150°C.

Holographic Gratings for Slow-Neutron Optics

Recent progress in the development of holographic gratings for neutron-optics applications is reviewed. We summarize the properties of gratings recorded in deuterated (poly)methylmethacrylate, holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals and nanoparticle-polymer composites revealed by diffraction experiments with slow neutrons. Existing and anticipated neutron-optical instrumentations based on holographic gratings are discussed.

Optical diffractometry of highly anisotropic holographic gratings formed by liquid crystal and polymer phase separation

Optical diffractometry is proposed as a practical method of quantitatively analyzing the microscopic structural origins of a wide range of highly efficient and linearly polarized optical diffraction grating produced from holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal. The structure is organized by a spatially periodical distribution of submicrometer-scale liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a polymer matrix. Six independent Bragg diffraction spectra were obtained at two orthogonal polarization states at temperatures below, at, and above the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition point. These spectra were simultaneously analyzed by employing anisotropic diffraction theory under the restraint of a simple and widely useful structural model constructed on the basis of the previously reported microscopic observations. The refractive indices of spatially periodic LC- and polymer-rich phases were analyzed using Cauchy's equation as a function of optical wavelength. The present diffractometry was demonstrated for a variety of holographic structures, and the structural parameters were discussed such as the filling ratio of LC droplets to polymer matrix, the orientational order in the droplets, and the thermo-optic properties in the LC droplets. Furthermore, the higher order Bragg diffractions were measured and discussed. The proposed method was examined in consistency by comparisons with polarizing optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Theory and characteristics of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal transmission grating with scaffolding morphology

We have performed a detailed characterization of the optical properties of a holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (LC) transmission grating with polymer scaffolding morphology, which was fabricated with conventional high-functionality acrylate monomer under low curing intensity. Temporal evolution of the grating formation was investigated, and the amount of phase-separated LC was determined by birefringence investigation. A grating model combined with anisotropic coupled-wave theory yielded good agreement with experimental data without any fitting parameter. The results in this study demonstrate the non droplet scaffolding morphology grating is characterized by a high degree of phase separation (70%), high anisotropy, low scattering loss (<6%), and high diffraction efficiency (95%).

Effects of anisotropic diffractions on holographic polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal gratings

Volume gratings fabricated by interferometric exposure using composite materials composed of nematic liquid crystals (LC) and LC diacrylate monomers are discussed in the effects of diffraction properties on different grating formations, such as varying LC content ratios, film thicknesses, and the surface conditions composed of alignment layers and rubbing directions. Diffraction properties are experimentally investigated in the viewpoints of anisotropic diffraction and LC orientation. The polarization-azimuth dependence of diffraction efficiencies as functions of the incident polarization states shows the controllability of anisotropic diffractions based on the effects of different surface conditions.

Coupled-wave analysis of vector holograms: effects of modulation depth of anisotropic phase retardation

The diffraction properties of thick vector holograms were analyzed with the use of a simple coupled-wave theory. Two eigenpolarizations in the holograms were determined based on the dielectric perturbation, and diffraction efficiencies for the polarizations were calculated by applying the Kogelnik method. The results were compared with those simulated by the finite-difference time-domain method. As a result, it was demonstrated that the diffraction efficiencies calculated by the two methods are in good agreement for any incident polarization when the modulation depth of the anisotropic phase retardation is substantially smaller than the mean retardation. In addition, we confirmed that coupled-wave analysis provides reasonable accuracy for relatively large modulation in the case of Bragg incidence with eigenpolarization.

Effects of thermal modulation on diffraction in liquid crystal composite gratings

A microperiodic structure composed of polymer and liquid crystal (LC) phases, called holographic polymer dispersed LC, is fabricated by a photo-induced phase separation technique using LC composites with different physical properties, such as refractive indices and clearing points. Effects of thermal modulation on diffraction properties of LC composite gratings are experimentally investigated in the viewpoints of polarization and temperature dependences. The diffractions based on the change of refractive index induced by the nematic-isotropic transition of LCs with the increase of temperature are applied for a holographic image reconstruction.

Control of anisotropic diffraction in liquid-crystal composite volume gratings

Orientation-controlled anisotropic diffraction gratings are realized by interferometric exposure using composite materials of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) and LC diacrylate monomers. The anisotropic diffraction properties in volume gratings, which dominantly diffract p- or s-polarized light, are shown to be controlled by the rubbed directions of the alignment layers under the control of the photopolymerization temperature. Images of the fringe patterns observed by polarization microscopy show the effects of the alignment layers on the LC orientation during grating formation.

Formation of anisotropic diffraction gratings in a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal by polarization modulation using a spatial light modulator

Anisotropic diffraction gratings based on a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) are realized by interferometric exposure using a spatial light modulator (SLM). The SLM is used in the HPDLC grating formation for anisotropic holographic recordings of two-dimensional polarization states for an incident light beam. The diffraction efficiency for P-polarization and the distinctive ratio of diffraction efficiency in P-polarization to that in S-polarization increases with the signal level applied to the SLM. The resulting volume gratings exhibit diffraction efficiency of more than 60% and a distinctive ratio of diffraction over 100. The microscopic origin of the anisotropic property is investigated by an optical polarizing microscope. The novel characteristics of the anisotropic diffraction properties of HPDLC are applied to an image reconstruction technique.

Colossal light-induced refractive-index modulation for neutrons in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

We report strong diffraction of cold neutrons from an only 30 micro m thick holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) transmission grating. The light-induced refractive-index modulation for neutrons is about 10(-6), i.e., nearly 2 orders of magnitude larger than in the best photo-neutron-refractive materials probed up to now. This makes H-PDLCs a promising candidate for fabricating neutron-optical devices.