Liquid crystal optical phase plate with a variable in-plane gradient

We propose a nematic liquid crystal (LC) optical phase plate, with a large continuous in-plane gradient that is variable, and its application to a beam steering device with high efficiency. The device is a vertically aligned, continuous phase, optical phased array (V-COPA) that uses a negative dielectric anisotropy LC material. High steering efficiency of over 95% is demonstrated by modeling the LC director field and its effect on transmitted light. The period of the V-COPA grating can be varied by adjusting an applied voltage profile, which allows for continuous angular control of the diffraction angle. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.