Slow Light Excitation in Tapered 1D Photonic Crystals: Theory

Slow light (SL) states corresponding to wavelength regions near the bandgap edge of grated structures are known to show strong field enhancement. Such states may be excited efficiently by well-optimized adiabatic transitions in grated structures, e.g., by slowly turning on the modulation depth. To study adiabatic excitations, a detailed research in 1D is performed to obtain insight into the relation between the device parameters and properties like enhancement and modal reflection. The results enable the design of an adiabatic device for efficient excitation of SL states in 1D. The effect of small wavelength variations as well as small fluctuations in the modulation depth of the grating has been investigated.     

Oblique-Incidence Characteristics of a Parallel-Aligned Nematic-Liquid-Crystal Spatial Light Modulator

We have developed optically-addressed and electrically-addressed liquid crystal spatial phase-only light modulators having no pixelized structures. We obtained a large depth of phase-only modulation and high diffraction efficiency based on the electro-optical characteristics of a parallel-aligned nematic liquid crystal. These spatial light modulators (SLM) are of the reflection type, so there would be a loss of power in the readout light from the half mirror, which was set up so as to separate the incident and reflected lights. To optimize the characteristics of a reflection type spatial phase-only light modulator, we have proposed an oblique incident optical readout setup. We have examined the effect of conditions such as the polarization direction and the incidence angle of the readout light, and the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the SLM. High diffraction efficiency close to the theoretical maximum value was obtained by adjusting the above conditions. The simulation analysis can well explain the experimental results of phase modulation.     

Photonic Band Gap Structures with Periodically Arranged Atoms in a Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystal

Linear transmission, reflection and absorption spectra for a new two-dimensional photonic crystal with periodically arranged resonant atoms are examined. Numerical results show that a twin-gap structure with forbidden bands displaced from a non-doped bandgap structure can be produced as a result of atomic polarization. The absorption spectrum is also significantly altered compared to the single atom entity.     

Multiple Polarization Encoding for Gray Image Encryption Based on Liquid Crystal Exclusive OR Logic

This work proposes and demonstrates the feasibility of gray image encryption using multiple polarization encoding, in which the cascaded twisted nematic liquid crystal devices sandwiched between a crossed polarizer pair are used to implement exclusive OR (XOR) logical encryption and decryption. The polarization encoding scheme provides a multichannel XOR logic operation to secure bit-plane images derived from a gray image, according to the adiabatic following properties of twisted nematic liquid crystal devices. Experimental data reveal that the multiple polarization encoding schemes for gray image encryption and decryption are performed with acceptable image quality by selecting appropriate polarization orientation and modulation conditions. Both analytic and experimental results are presented and discussed.     

Photonic density and nonreciprocal optical properties in chiral liquid crystals

Nonreciprocal optical properties of anisotropic (nano-film) heterostructures made of a cholesteric and nematic liquid crystal (CLC-NLC) layers are studied. Namely, a NLC-CLC (and CLC-NLC) structures are considered in which the NLC layer is a quarter-wave plate. The problem is exactly solvable by Ambartsumians’ modified layer addition and Mullers’ transfer-matrix methods. The peculiarities of the polarization dependent properties, such as the photonic density of states, reflection spectra, the polarization plane rotation and ellipticity spectra are investigated. It is shown that such a system canwork as a light modulator, an element for obtaining linearly polarized light with an electrically tunable polarization plane rotation, or a transformer of non-polarized source into linearly polarized light. The analysis of the optical properties in investigated structures can be used for design of perspective optical diodes, microlasers and multifunctional elements on chiral liquid crystals with electrically tunable polarization plane rotation and field controlled light polarization.     

Unique optical properties of anisotropic helical structures in a Fabry-Perot cavity

Anisotropic helical structures in Fabry-Perot (FP) cavities are shown to exhibit unique properties. The FP peaks are unpolarized, consisting of doublets corresponding to Bloch-Lyaponov eigenwaves with increased splitting as the local anisotropy increases and as they become closer to the photonic bandgap. The Bragg-type selective reflection peak existing in a free-cavity sample is inhibited when the helical medium is inside a cavity, and it has no effect on the cavity modes. Hence the unique characteristics are obtained even with a single period of the helix, and consequently thin films of helical liquid crystals can be used to build fast tunable polarization insensitive FP filters.     

Design of an augmented reality display based on polarization grating

A new optical system for an augmented reality(AR) display is proposed in this paper.The optical system mainly includes a ray deflector, coupling input grating, optical waveguide, and coupling output grating.Both the ray deflector and the coupling input grating are designed based on the diffraction characteristics of the polarization grating, and the coupling output grating is the Bragg reflection grating.Compared with other AR schemes, this AR optical system not only reduces the number of projections from two to one, but also improves the efficiency of light coupling into the optical waveguides.The energy loss is reduced by utilizing the single-order diffraction characteristics of the polarization grating in its coupling input structure.The light deflector uses the polarization selectivity of the polarization grating and the characteristics of the rotating light of the twisted nematic liquid crystal layer to realize beam deflection.The working principle of the optical system is experimentally and theoretically demonstrated.     

Bragg diffraction of light by ultrasonic shear waves in a plane-parallel layer

We have studied anisotropic Bragg diffraction of light by ultrasonic shear waves in an optically isotropic plane-parallel layer. We have established the analytical dependences of the relative intensities and polarization azimuths of reflected and transmitted diffracted waves on the intensity of the ultrasound, the layer thickness, the angle of incidence, and the polarization azimuth of the incident light. We show that rotation of the plane of polarization of the diffracted wave is determined by the different Fresnel reflection of the s and p polarized components of the incident light in the plane-parallel layer. We have determined that in mismatched acousto-optic structures, deep amplitude modulation of transmitted and reflected light is possible which is an order of magnitude greater than the usual modulation in matched structures.     

Electromechanical and light tunable cholesteric liquid crystals

A light-responsive cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) mixture is tuned with light and applied DC electric field. Interestingly, the reflection of the CLC is red shifted with UV light and blue shifted with applied DC electric fields. UV light exposure induces a red shift in the reflection of the CLC bandgap by as much as 800 nm from the original spectral position. Spatial variations in pitch (and thus reflection color) are shown to blue shift with applied DC field regardless of the photohistory and restore the notch position or image upon removal of the field. The ability to tune the reflection of the CLC bandgap on demand to the red or blue with multiple stimuli is a never before demonstrated effect that could have potential utility in lasing, optical filtering, or data communication applications.     

Mueller matrix-based optimization of reflective type twisted nematic liquid crystal SLM at oblique incidences

Mueller matrix measurements were used to characterize the polarization properties of liquid crystal-based reflective type twisted nematic (TN) special light modulator (SLM) at oblique incidence of the laser beam. The experimentally obtained Mueller matrices were used to obtain the combination of polarization optics required to optimize it for phase only modulation. The results indicate that minimum intensity modulation is obtained with the use of a polarizer followed by a quarter wave plate (QWP) in polarization state generator (PSG) arm and a QWP followed by an analyzer in polarization state analyzer arm (PSA). Polarization parameters such as retardance, rotation and depolarization were calculated from the experimentally obtained Mueller matrices using polar decomposition method at different angle of incidences of the laser beam and the results has been discussed. The similarity between retardance and depolarization curve as a function of address voltage of TNSLM indicated that depolarization is mainly associated with errors in retardance values. Further, spectral Mueller matrix measurements were used to obtain intensity modulation response in the range of wavelengths 450-700 nm for broadband applications.     

Electrically-Controllable Liquid Crystal Polarizing Filter for Eliminating Reflected Light

A high-speed controllable polarizing filter has been developed to eliminate obstructive polarized light reflected from glass and watery surfaces for image pickup in video media program producing and marine dynamic remote sensing. In this device, the polarization plane of incident light is rotated through 0°, 45°, 90° or 135° by an electrically-controllable polarization rotator composed of 45° and 90° twisted nematic liquid crystal cells, and the polarization component of reflected light is absorbed by a fixed polarizing film. It selectively absorbs more than 80% of incident white light linearly polarized in an arbitrary direction. With the drastic reduction of reflected light, the object images hidden by the bright reflected light are clearly captured in real time. Another type of polarizing filter, using a guest-host liquid crystal cell instead of the polarizing film, controls light absorption as well as polarization angle.     

Continuous wave mirrorless lasing in cholesteric liquid crystals with a pitch gradient across the cell gap

Despite numerous efforts, continuous wave (CW) lasing in dye doped, one-dimensional (1D) photonic bandgap cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) structures has not been previously reported, to our knowledge. Here we report on the observation of lasing in such structures under both coherent (laser) and incoherent (LED) CW light excitation. To achieve this effect, we used a 1D-photonic bandgap structure made of a polymer stabilized CLC with a pitch gradient across the cell thickness. A spectral reflectivity profile of such a CLC structure reveals local minima in the area within a photonic stopband and close to it. The realization of lasing pumped by low power CW light sources opens the possibility of all-organic, compact, tunable CW lasers for display and medical applications.     

Photonic defect modes in cholesteric liquid crystal films

We discuss the properties of photonic defect modes in cholesteric liquid crystals. Twist defects, isotropic defect layers, and combinations of both are considered. After deriving the reflection and transmission properties of the defects, we study the effect of a finite sample thickness on the defect modes amplitude and on the required polarization of incident light to excite the defect mode.Received: 18 August 2003, Published online: 5 February 2004PACS: 42.70.Qs Photonic bandgap materials - 61.30.-v Liquid crystals     

Laser beam manipulation by composite material electro-optic devices

Liquid crystals are anisotropic materials whose optical properties can be easily controlled applying an electric field. For this reason, they are widely used in electro-optical devices. Besides other applications, liquid crystals electro-optical devices are suitable for laser beam manipulation. In this paper, we present some devices developed or studied in our laboratory: a twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) polarization rotator, a TN-LC protected light sensor, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) light modulator, a PDLC optoelectronic polarizer and a polymer liquid crystal (PoLiCryst) light modulator.     

A Monte Carlo ray tracing study of polarized light propagation in liquid foams

A Monte Carlo ray tracing scheme is used to investigate the propagation of an incident collimated beam of polarized light in liquid foams. Cellular structures like foam are expected to change the polarization characteristics due to multiple scattering events, where such changes can be used to monitor foam dynamics. A statistical model utilizing some of the recent developments in foam physics is coupled with a vector Monte Carlo scheme to compute the depolarization ratios via Stokes-Mueller formalism. For the simulations, the incident Stokes vector corresponding to horizontal linear polarization and right circular polarization are considered. It is observed that bubble size and the polydispersity parameter have a significant effect on the depolarization ratios. This is partially owing to the number of total internal reflection events in the Plateau borders. The results are discussed in terms of applicability of polarized light as a diagnostic tool for monitoring foams.     

NLC-CLC-NLC cell as an electrically tunable polarization plane rotator

A liquid crystal optical device made of an optically anisotropic heterostructure is considered. The device consists of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) layer sandwiched by two phase-shifting anisotropic layers of a nematic liquid crystal (NLC). In this structure each of the NLC layers is a quarterwave plate. The problem is solved both by Ambartsumian’s method of layer addition and Muller’s matrix method. The peculiarities of reflection spectra, eigen polarizations, rotation of polarization plane and polarization ellipticity are studied. It is shown that this device can work as a light modulator or a system for obtaining linearly polarized light with electrically tunable rotation of the polarization plane (which is especially important for optical communication), as well as a device for obtaining the linearly polarized light from a non-polarized one.     

利用一种偏振方法减小由强反射或弱反射强度引起的植被反演误差

无论是多角度遥感的发展、还是偏振、高光谱遥感的发展,它们有一个相同的目的,即利用电磁波的种种特性、以及空间特性来对地球表面的一切地物进行精确的识别。任何单一的方法和手段不可能完整地描述和反映地物的所有特征。偏振测量是目标测量识别技术中不可缺少的技术之一,并且成为近年来全世界目标识别领域中的研究热点。由于定量遥感的反射强度对植被遥感的影响不可忽视,反射辐射信号呈现饱和或过弱都不能被检测到。而偏振是植被定量遥感的重要手段,因而有必要开发一种克服由反射强度强弱引起的植被反演误差的方法,这也是我们目前的研究目标。如果反射的辐射信号太强或太弱,都会影响遥感的准确性,而来自植被的偏振光可以提供有用的信息,特别是当反射的辐射信号饱和时,使得传感器不能获得足够有用的非偏振信息。本研究采用基于地面的偏振成像光谱仪系统,开发了一种偏振方法来克服反射强度过强过弱引起的植被反演误差。利用FISS-P偏振成像光谱仪系统研究了反射强度对遥感植被NDVI和DoLP效用的影响,实验地点在北京市中国科学院奥林匹克科技园。在对目标采样时对反射率强,反射率弱以及反射率适中的植被分别测量,同时对目标植被的不同波段(470, 555, 670, 864 nm)的DoLP进行计算与分析。地基成像光谱仪系统(FISS-P)提供了具有偏振信息的高空间分辨率图像,我们可以确定在阴影和强反射区域中单个像素的光谱偏振特性。在成像光谱信息的基础上,利用光的偏振性来对地物的物理特性进行分析。本文使用斯托克斯分量来表征反射光的各个偏振分量,使用线偏振度(DoLP)表征反射光偏振程度。信号饱和度和阴影效应导致归一化植被指数(NDVI)植被密集程度非常低,造成严重的反演误差,然而强反射对线偏振度(DoLP)的影响不大。研究结果表明,反射辐射信号饱和时,偏振效应可以通过适当的频带提高植被的反演精度,平均NDVI的相对误差为33.8％,而DoLP(670 nm)的相对误差仅为6.3％,而其他波段的DoLP(555 nm,864 nm)的相对误差要大很多。这项研究结果表明,在植被识别时可以忽略强反射,然而,阴影(弱反射)效应是不容忽视的。FISS-P偏振成像光谱仪是用于计算具有不同反射强度的样品类型的偏振和非偏振参数的有效工具,同时发现在识别植被时,强烈的反射可以忽略不计,但是植被的阴影(弱反射)效应不容忽视。与非偏振方法相比,偏振效应可以提高反射辐射信号饱和时的植被反演精度。这项研究分析了使用偏振法强弱反射强度引起的误差减少。为了进一步揭示植被的阴影(弱反射)效应与DoLP之间的关系,还有一些问题需要解决。     

Optical defect modes at an active defect layer in photonic liquid crystals

An analytic approach to the theory of the optical defect modes in photonic liquid crystals in the case of an active defect layer is developed. The analytic study is facilitated by the choice of the problem parameters related to the dielectric properties of the studied structures. The chosen models allow eliminating polarization mixing at the external surfaces of the studied structures. The dispersion equations determining the relation of the defect mode (DM) frequency to the dielectric characteristics of an isotropic, birefringent and absorbing (amplifying) defect layer and its thickness are obtained. Analytic expressions for the transmission and reflection coefficients of the defect mode structure (DMS) (photonic liquid crystal-active defect layer-photonic liquid crystal) are presented and analyzed. The effect of anomalously strong light absorption at the defect mode frequency for an absorbing defect layer is discussed. It is shown that in a distributed feed-back lasing at the DMS with an amplifying defect layer, adjusting the lasing frequency to the DM frequency results in a significant decrease in the lasing threshold and the threshold gain decreases as the defect layer thickness increases. It is found that, generally speaking, the layer birefringence and dielectric jumps at the interfaces of the defect layer and photonic liquid crystal reduce the DM lifetime in comparison with the DMS with an isotropic defect layer without dielectric jumps at the interfaces. Correspondingly, generally speaking, the effect of anomalously strong light absorption at the defect mode frequency and the decrease in the lasing threshold are not so pronounced as in the case of the DMS with an isotropic defect layer without dielectric jumps at the interfaces. The case of a DMS with a low defect layer birefringence and sufficiently large dielectric jumps are studied in detail. The options of effectively influencing the DM parameters by changing the defect layer dielectric properties, and the birefringence in particular, are discussed.     

Photonic bandgap structures for long-range surface plasmon polaritons

Propagation of long-range surface plasmon polaritons (LR-SPPs) along periodically thickness-modulated metal stripes embedded in dielectric is studied both theoretically and experimentally for light wavelengths in the telecom range. We demonstrate that symmetric (with respect to the film surface) nm-size thickness variations result in the pronounced band gap effect, and obtain very good agreement between measured and simulated (transmission and reflection) spectra. This effect is exploited to realize a compact wavelength add-drop filter with the bandwidth of 20 nm centered at 1550 nm. The possibilities of achieving a full bandgap (in the surface plane) for LR-SPPs are also discussed.     

Design and operation of a fiber optic sensor for liquid level detection

Design and construction of an optical fiber sensor for liquid level detection are reported. This sensor operates based on light intensity modulation, and such modulation results from alteration of total internal reflection into partial reflection at the interface. The modulated intensity has been measured by using a pair of fibers, one transmitting source light, another acting as receiving fiber, and a glass prism providing the total and partial reflections. During the level measurements, when a liquid in a vessel touches the 45° faces of the 45-90-45° prism, the total internal reflection is disturbed, and the reflected light is modulated. The performance of this sensor is tested with different source lights including a light emitting diode (LED), a diode laser, and a He–Ne laser. Extinction ratio has been measured for different liquids, and compared. This ratio for water using LED source is about 0.03, for diode laser is 0.006 and for He–Ne laser is 0.003. Although this device was tested as a liquid level sensor, but the distinct results obtained for samples with different index of refractions demonstrate that the reported sensor can also be used as a liquid refractometer.