Submillisecond-response polymer network liquid crystal phase modulators at 1.06-μm wavelength

A fast-response and scattering-free polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) light modulator is demonstrated at lambda = 1.06 mu m wavelength. A decay time of 117 mu s for 2 pi phase modulation is obtained at 70 degrees C, which is similar to 650 x faster than that of the host nematic LCs. The major tradeoff is the increased operating voltage. Potential applications include spatial light modulators and adaptive optics. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3611031]