AI Article Synopsis
- Diffractive optical elements are useful for miniaturizing and integrating optical systems, commonly used for applications like beam shaping and imaging, but most are not adjustable which limits their use.
- The research presents a tunable diffractive optical element made with a gold microarray on a flexible liquid crystal elastomer substrate, which changes its structure when illuminated by a 532 nm laser.
- This innovative design allows for the control of diffraction patterns and shows promise for various adaptable photonic devices, including filters, couplers, and holographic displays.
Article Abstract
Diffractive optical element is advantageous for miniaturization, arraying and integration of optical systems. They have been widely used in beam shaping, diffractive imaging, generating beam arrays, spectral optimization and other aspects. Currently, the vast majority of diffractive optics are not tunable. This limits the applicability and functionality of these devices. Here we report a tunable diffractive optical element controlled by light in the visible band. The diffractive optical element consists of a square gold microarray deposited on a deformable substrate. The substrate is made of a liquid crystal elastomer. When pumped by a 532 nm laser, the substrate is deformed to change the crystal lattice. This changes the far-field diffraction pattern of the device. The proposed concept establishes a light-controlled soft platform with great potential for tunable/reconfigurable photonic devices, such as filters, couplers, holograms and structural color displays.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.521122 | DOI Listing |
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