A high-haze liquid crystal grating device with asymmetric anchoring energies

We present the development of a novel two-dimensional (2-D) liquid crystal (LC) grating device with asymmetric surface anchoring. By employing a waffle-shaped electrode on one substrate, a 2-D electric field is generated. The introduction of weak anchoring energy on one of the substrates enables easier rotation of LC molecules between the electrodes upon voltage application in an asymmetrically anchored device. As a result, the proposed grating device exhibits a significant spatial phase difference in any direction, leading to a high-haze value in the opaque state (94.36%). Furthermore, it offers notable advantages such as enhanced fabricability, simplified driving mechanism, and reduced operating voltage requirements.

Automated summary

This study presents the development of a new two-dimensional liquid crystal grating device with asymmetric surface anchoring. By using a waffle-shaped electrode on one substrate, a two-dimensional electric field is generated. The introduction of weak anchoring energy on one of the substrates allows for easier rotation of liquid crystal molecules between the electrodes upon voltage application in an asymmetrically anchored device. As a result, the proposed grating device exhibits a significant spatial phase difference in any direction, resulting in a high haze value in the opaque state.