Helical Structure Endows Liquid Crystal Planar Optics with a Customizable Working Band

Wavefront control lies in the heart of optics. Multi-degree orthogonal manipulation of light, especially the on-demand tailoring of the working band and spatial phase front, is expected to fully exhibit the superiority of photons as information carriers. Here, the recent progress on the customizable working band of liquid crystal planar optics enabled by helical structures is reviewed. Broadband transmissive devices with mirror-symmetric helical structures, broadband reflective Bragg-Berry phase elements based on cholesteric liquid crystals, transflective phase modulations of a piecewise twisted structure, and external field shifted bands of planar optics are summarized. In addition to the customization of the geometric phase and working band, manipulation of other optical parameters is discussed. The tremendous self-assemblies and diverse external field responsiveness make liquid crystals a perfect platform for full-dimensional manipulation of light.

Automated summary

This paper reviews the recent progress on the customizable working band of liquid crystal planar optics enabled by helical structures. It summarizes the development of broadband transmissive devices, broadband reflective Bragg-Berry phase elements, transflective phase modulations, and external field shifted bands of planar optics. In addition to customization of the geometric phase and working band, manipulation of other optical parameters is also discussed. The self-assemblies and external field responsiveness of liquid crystals make them a perfect platform for full-dimensional manipulation of light.