Laser Written Stretchable Diffractive Optic Elements in Liquid Crystal Gels

Direct laser writing (DLW) in liquid crystals (LCs) enables a range of new stimuli-responsive functionality to be realized. Here, method fabricating mechanically tunable diffraction gratings stretchable LC gels is demonstrated using combination two-photon polymerization direct (TPP-DLW) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Results are presented that demonstrate the fabrication grating written TPP-DLW presence an electric field order align lock-in director homeotropic configuration. The subsequently removed surrounding regions layer then exposed UV light freeze-in different alignment so as ensure there phase difference between illuminated polymerized regions. It found change period when observed on polarizing optical microscope well far-field pattern film stretched or contracted. These experimental results compared with from simulations. paper concludes demonstration tuning 2-dimensional grating.