Low-voltage-driven smart glass based on micro-patterned liquid crystal Fresnel lenses.

We disclose a method of fabricating a low-voltage-driven smart glass based on micro-patterned liquid crystal (LC) Fresnel lenses and implement three proof-of-concept prototypes. Distinct from the conventional LC-based smart windows with the scattering state, the prominence of our proposed LC smart glass in blurry state under both normal and oblique observations stems from the image distortion caused by LC Fresnel lenses. In addition, the high transmittance (>90%) in clear state is obtained by applying a low voltage of 2 V to each prototype.

2D-3D switchable display based on a passive polymeric lenticular lens array and electrically suppressed ferroelectric liquid crystal.

We reveal a 2D-3D switchable lens unit that is based on a polarization-sensitive microlens array and a polarization selector unit made of an electrically suppressed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal (ESHFLC) cell. The ESHFLCs offer a high contrast ratio (∼10k∶1) between the crossed polarizers at a low applied electric field (∼1.7  V/μm) with a small switching time (<50  μs).

Complex Nanoscale-Ordered Liquid Crystal Polymer Film for High Transmittance Holographic Polarizer.

A special design of a complex-ordered liquid crystal polymer film is developed into a holographic polarizer. The holographic polarizer shows over 90% transmittance, which provides a simple solution to make LEDs polarized. Furthermore, the holographic polarizer exhibits intensity and polarization maintenance properties, which could be further developed for photonics applications.