Cholesteric layers with tangential-conical surface anchoring for an electrically controlled polarization rotator

The voltage dependences of polarization characteristics of light passed through the cholesteric layers with tangential-conical boundary conditions have been investigated. It has been shown that such layers allow turning the polarization azimuth more than 70 degrees because of the unique untwisting effect of the cholesteric helix, due to free azimuthal rotation of the director on the substrate with conical anchoring. Optical cells under study have some advantages (low control voltage, smooth variation of polarization azimuth, simplicity of design) and can be used as an electrically controlled polarization rotator of white light. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

The voltage dependences of polarization characteristics of light passed through cholesteric layers with tangential-conical boundary conditions have been investigated. It has been shown that these layers can rotate the polarization azimuth significantly, have advantages such as low control voltage, smooth variation of polarization azimuth, and simplicity of design, and can be used as an electrically controlled polarization rotator for white light.