Controlling diffracted beam-polarization by patterned optical-field in a photosensitive chiral nematic

Liang, Fei and Jing, Hongzhen and Fu, Jiaming and Xiang, Ying and Salamon, Péter and Éber, Nándor and Buka, Ágnes and Kohout, Michal and Li, Jiaoyang and Chen, Jiawen (2025) Controlling diffracted beam-polarization by patterned optical-field in a photosensitive chiral nematic. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS, 420. No.-126814. ISSN 0167-7322

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Abstract

Rotation of the light polarization of a diffracted beam, manipulated by imposed patterned UV optical field, is proposed and examined in a photosensitive chiral nematic liquid crystal. Such operations can be performed dynamically and reversibly, by varying the UV intensity. It was revealed that the rotations are ascribed to an optical-field-induced chirality effect, where the helical structure in chiral nematics changes periodically in space in accordance with the UV intensity profile. Using continuum elastic theory and the optical Jones matrix technique, we determined the dependence of polarization orientation on UV intensity. By changing the polarity and magnitude of chirality in chiral nematics, UV light can control the orientation of the polarization state sweeping across the entire horizontal plane, making it possible for polarization converter applications. Proof-of-concept prototypes capable of generating customized vortex and vector beams are demonstrated, proving that by virtue of remote and precise control of the optical field, a polarization field with specific spatial structures can be generated.

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