Electrically switchable cylindrical Fresnel lens based on holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals using a Michelson interferometer

Fabricating an electrically switchable cylindrical Fresnel lens based on holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (H-PDLC) using a Michelson interferometer is reported. Simplicity of the method and possibility of fabricating different focal length lenses in a single set up are among the advantages of the method. It is demonstrated that the Fresnel structured zone plate acts as a cylindrical lens and focuses light in one dimension. Its electro-optical switching properties are also studied and it is found that at an applied electric field of E=6 Vrms/μm across the sample, focusing property of the sample eliminates with a response of about 1 ms in a reversible manner.