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Gong Y, Li B, Yao CY, Yang W, Fan QH, Qiu Z, Li W. Tunable, Low-Cost, Multi-Channel, Broadband Liquid Crystal Shutter for Fluorescence Imaging in Widefield Microscopy. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1310. [PMID: 36014232 PMCID: PMC9415866 DOI: 10.3390/mi13081310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bistable liquid crystal (LC) shutters have attracted much interest due to their low energy consumption and fast response time. In this paper, we demonstrate an electrically tunable/switchable biostable LC light shutter in biological optics through a three-step easy-assembly, inexpensive, multi-channel shutter. The liquid crystal exhibits tunable transparency (100% to 10% compared to the initial light intensity) under different voltages (0 V to 90 V), indicating its tunable potential. By using biomedical images, the response time, resolution, and light intensity changes of the LC under different voltages in three common fluorescence wavelengths are displayed intuitively. Particularly, the shutter's performance in tumor images under the near-infrared band shows its application potential in biomedical imaging fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gong
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Michigan State University, 428 S Shaw Ln, #2120, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Bo Li
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Michigan State University, 428 S Shaw Ln, #2120, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Cheng-You Yao
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Michigan State University, 775 Woodlot Dr, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Weiyang Yang
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Michigan State University, 428 S Shaw Ln, #2120, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Qi Hua Fan
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Michigan State University, 428 S Shaw Ln, #2120, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department, Michigan State University, 428 S Shaw Ln, #2100, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Zhen Qiu
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Michigan State University, 775 Woodlot Dr, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Wen Li
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Michigan State University, 428 S Shaw Ln, #2120, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Talukder JR, Lin HY, Wu ST. Photo- and electrical-responsive liquid crystal smart dimmer for augmented reality displays. OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 27:18169-18179. [PMID: 31252764 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.018169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A dual-stimuli polarizer-free dye-doped liquid crystal (LC) dimmer is demonstrated. The LC composition consists of photo-stable chiral agent, photosensitive azobenzene, and dichroic dye in a nematic host with positive dielectric anisotropy. Upon UV exposure, the LC directors and dye molecules turn from initially vertical alignment (high transmittance state) to twisted fingerprint structure (low transmittance state). The reversal process is accelerated by combining a longitudinal electric field to unwind the LC directors from twisted fingerprint to homeotropic state, and a red light to transform the cis azobenzene back to trans. This device can be used as a smart dimmer to enhance the ambient contrast ratio for augmented reality displays.
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Huh JW, Seo JH, Oh SW, Kim SH, Yoon TH. Tristate switching of a liquid-crystal cell among initial transparent, haze-free dark, and high-haze dark states. J Mol Liq 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.02.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Chiang SP, Wang CT, Feng TM, Li CC, Jau HC, Su SY, Yang SD, Lin TH. Selective variable optical attenuator for visible and mid-Infrared wavelengths. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:17009-17014. [PMID: 30119517 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.017009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This work demonstrates a variable optical attenuator (VOA) using dynamic scattering mode (DSM) in ion-doped liquid crystals with negative dielectric anisotropy. The mechanism of attenuation comes from optical scattering, which is generated by the electrically induced instability of undulation of LC textures. Electric fields are applied to switch the initial transparent state of the designed VOA to scattering states, varying the transmittance. The electric field also changes the size of the scattering domain from the LC texture and causes the designed device to exhibit an ultra-broadband selective operation in a visible to mid-IR spectral range. Furthermore, the VOA can selectively block one visible or mid-IR wavelength of light while letting other light pass. Such a VOA has many superior optical switching properties, such as high on/off contrast, insensitivity to polarization, and spectral selectivity; therefore, it has the potential to be used in practical optical systems.
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Orofino AB, Oyanguren PA, Galante MJ. Reaction-Induced Phase Separation: A Strategy to Synthesize Azobenzene-Modified All-Optical PDLC Devices. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201700626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonela B. Orofino
- Nanostructured Polymers Division (PolNano); Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA); National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), and National Research Council (CONICET); Av. Juan B. Justo 4302 (7600) Mar del Plata Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Patricia A. Oyanguren
- Nanostructured Polymers Division (PolNano); Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA); National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), and National Research Council (CONICET); Av. Juan B. Justo 4302 (7600) Mar del Plata Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - María J. Galante
- Nanostructured Polymers Division (PolNano); Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA); National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), and National Research Council (CONICET); Av. Juan B. Justo 4302 (7600) Mar del Plata Buenos Aires Argentina
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Yu BH, Huh JW, Kim KH, Yoon TH. Light shutter using dichroic-dye-doped long-pitch cholesteric liquid crystals. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:29332-7. [PMID: 24514486 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.029332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We propose a light shutter device using dichroic-dye-doped liquid crystals (LCs) whose Bragg reflection wavelength is set to be infrared by controlling the pitch of cholesteric liquid crystals (ChLCs). A dye-doped long-pitch ChLC cell is switchable between the dark planar state and the transparent homeotropic state. It has the advantages of high transmittance, low operation voltage, and an easy fabrication process relative to previous LC light shutter devices. The proposed light shutter device is expected to achieve high visibility for transparent organic light-emitting diode displays and emerging smart windows, which can be used in airplanes, cars, and other similar applications.
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Jang JE, Lee GH, Song BG, Cha SN, Jung JE. Enhancement of diffuse reflectance using air tunnel structure. OPTICS LETTERS 2013; 38:290-292. [PMID: 23381414 DOI: 10.1364/ol.38.000290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Submicrometer air gap structure has formed on diffuse reflection structure to improve light reflectance. Covering polymer or liquid on a diffuse reflector to make optical components induces the severe decrease of the total reflectance, since the diffuse reflected angle of some light rays is larger than the critical angle and the rays travel to the medium until meeting a proper small incident angle. The reflectance drops to 68% of the original value with just a polymer coating on the diffuse reflector. The formation of an air tunnel structure between the polymer layer and the diffuse reflector makes a symmetrical reflective index matching state and recovers 95% of the original reflectance. Due to the simple fabrication process and the chemical stability, the structure can be applied to various optical components and reflective display devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Eun Jang
- Department of Information & Communication Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu, South Korea.
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Jang JE, Cha SN, Lee JM, Kim JJ, Amaratunga GAJ, Jung JE. Multiple color reflection in a single unit cell using double-layer electrochromic reaction. OPTICS LETTERS 2012; 37:235-237. [PMID: 22854478 DOI: 10.1364/ol.37.000235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Multiple color states have been realized in single unit cell using double electrochromic (EC) reaction. The precise control of bistability in EC compounds which can maintain several colors on the two separated electrodes allows this new type of pixel to be realized. The specific electrical driving gives a way to maintain both sides in the reduced EC states and this colors overlapping in the vertical view direction can achieve the black state. The four color states (G, B, W, BK) in one cell/pixel can make a valuable progress to achieve a high quality color devices such like electronic paper, outdoor billboard, smart window and flexible display using external light source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Eun Jang
- Department of Information & Communication Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea.
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Eun Jung J, Lee GH, Eun Jang J, Hwang KY, Ahmad F, Jamil M, Jin Woo L, Jae Jeon Y. Optical property enhancement of dye-PDLC using active reflector structure. J Appl Polym Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/app.35011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Lee GH, Hwang KY, Jang JE, Jin YW, Lee SY, Jung JE. Bright color optical switching device by polymer network liquid crystal with a specular reflector. OPTICS EXPRESS 2011; 19:13097-13104. [PMID: 21747462 DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.013097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The color optical switching device by polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) with color filter on a specular reflector shows excellent performance; white reflectance of 22%, color gamut of 32%, and contrast ratio up to 50:1 in reflective mode measurement. The view-angle dependence of the reflectance can be adjusted by changing the PNLC thickness. The color chromaticity shown by the device is close to the limit value of color filters, and its value nearly remains with respect to the operating voltage. These optical properties of the device can be explained from the prediction based on multiple interactions between the light and the droplets of liquid crystal. The high reflectance, vivid color image, and moderate responds time allow the PNLC device to drive good color moving image. It can widely extend the applications of the reflective device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gae Hwang Lee
- Material and Device Research Center, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
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