Parameterizing liquid crystal variable retarder structural organization with a fractal-Born approximation model

James C. Gladish; Donald D. Duncan

doi:10.1117/1.OE.55.5.054104

10 May 2016 Parameterizing liquid crystal variable retarder structural organization with a fractal-Born approximation model

James C. Gladish, Donald D. Duncan

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 55, Issue 5, 054104 (May 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.55.5.054104

Abstract

Liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) are computer-controlled birefringent devices that contain nanometer-sized birefringent liquid crystals (LCs). These devices impart retardance effects through a global, uniform orientation change of the LCs, which is based on a user-defined drive voltage input. In other words, the LC structural organization dictates the device functionality. The LC structural organization also produces a spectral scatter component which exhibits an inverse power law dependence. We investigate LC structural organization by measuring the voltage-dependent LC spectral scattering signature with an integrating sphere and then relate this observable to a fractal-Born model based on the Born approximation and a Von Kármán spectrum. We obtain LCVR light scattering spectra at various drive voltages (i.e., different LC orientations) and then parameterize LCVR structural organization with voltage-dependent correlation lengths. The results can aid in determining performance characteristics of systems using LCVRs and can provide insight into interpreting structural organization measurements.

Citation Download Citation

James C. Gladish and Donald D. Duncan "Parameterizing liquid crystal variable retarder structural organization with a fractal-Born approximation model," Optical Engineering 55(5), 054104 (10 May 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.55.5.054104

Published: 10 May 2016

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available