Efficiency of liquid-crystal light valves as polarization rotators

Neil Collings; Wei Xue; Giancarlo Pedrini

doi:10.1117/12.47004

1 September 1991 Efficiency of liquid-crystal light valves as polarization rotators

Neil Collings, Wei Xue, Giancarlo Pedrini

Proceedings Volume 1505, Optics for Computers: Architectures and Technologies; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.47004
Event: ECO4 (The Hague '91), 1991, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract

Liquid crystal light valves (LCLVs) have found application in many proposed and demonstrated optical computing systems. In many cases the polarization state of the illumination is used to encode information, e.g., symbolic substitution and neural networks. In these applications it is often desired that two linear and orthogonal states of polarization result from the devices used. This is the form of polarization coding used in this paper. Any deviations from these desired polarization states will results in signal crosstalk within the system. Typically, the light reflected from the light valve is elliptically polarized. By adjusting the drive conditions or setting the light valve at a fixed azimuth, the degree of ellipticity can be minimized. However, the rotation of the major axis is usually less than 90 degree(s). The authors characterize three different types of LCLVs based on twisted nematic, aligned nematic, and ferroelectric (smectic C) liquid crystals. The optical activity and birefringence of the devices as a function of write light intensity are being studied. System crosstalk resulting from any deviations from the desired characteristics is discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Neil Collings, Wei Xue, and Giancarlo Pedrini "Efficiency of liquid-crystal light valves as polarization rotators", Proc. SPIE 1505, Optics for Computers: Architectures and Technologies, (1 September 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.47004

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