A liquid crystalline polymer microlens array with tunable focal intensity by the polarization control of a liquid crystal layer

Abstract

We propose a focal intensity tunable microlens array by using a birefringent liquid crystalline polymer for lensing action. Due to the difference of effective refractive indices, it acts as a positive or negative microlens with respect to the polarization state. As we control the incident polarization by adding a liquid crystal layer, the focal intensity can be tuned by an applied voltage. Twisted nematic and bistable ferroelectric liquid crystal modes were applied to demonstrate the possibility of various driving features such as a continuously tunable focal intensity or fast switching with memory effect.