Fast Switching Dual-Frequency Liquid Crystal Optical Retarder, Driven by an Amplitude and Frequency Modulated Voltage

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally a fast-switching nematic optical retarder capable to switch a few microns of optical retardation in less than 1 ms. For example, a nematic cell of thickness 14.5 mm switches 0.3 mm of retardation within 0.15 ms and 2.5 mm within 0.5 ms for single passage of beam. The corresponding figure of merit is two orders of magnitude higher than the one known for the best nematic materials synthesized so far. The fit is achieved by employing a dual-frequency nematic liquid crystal in high-pretilt angle cells and a special addressing scheme that features amplitude and frequency modulated voltage. The scheme can be used in spatial light modulators, retarders, beam deflectors, polarization rotator, and displays. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. @DOI: 10.1063/1.1625114#