Article
Optics
Linpei Xue, Yihan Jin, Steve J. Elston, Stephen M. Morris
Summary: This paper investigates the optical phase modulation potential of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) π-cell in the symmetric H (Hs) state. Experimental results of optical phase modulation using a phase-shifting Michelson interferometer are compared with simulation results using the Ericksen-Leslie continuum theory. The stability of the Hs state is studied by adjusting the applied voltage and the voltage burst duration. The LC pi-cell driven into the Hs state using a short burst voltage shows excellent phase modulation capability in achieving full 2n phase modulation with a 1 ms timescale in a reflective geometry.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Urice N. Tohgha, Ecklin P. Crenshaw, Michael E. McConney, Kyung Min Lee, Nicholas P. Godman
Summary: Nanoparticles of various shapes and sizes affect the optical properties and blue phase stabilization of BP liquid crystals. The dispersion of nanoparticles in the LC medium affects the position of the BP reflection band and the stabilization of BPs. The size and shape of nanomaterials greatly influence the interaction with LCs.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
De-Shan Hou, Jia-Xin Cao, Xuan Li, Ji-Liang Zhu, Wen-Ming Han
Summary: An electrically switchable band-edge laser with tunable light intensity in three-dimensional space and submillisecond switching time has been demonstrated, making it suitable for various applications in displays, biomedical analysis, and optical security coatings.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhaohan Yu, Yunming Wang, Jiaqi Zheng, Shuang Sun, Yue Fu, Dan Chen, Weihao Cai, Dong Wang, Huamin Zhou, Dequn Li
Summary: This paper reports a remotely controlled soft robot using a photoresponsive nanocomposite synthesized from liquid crystal elastomers, high elastic form-stable phase change polymer, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The nanocomposite allows the robot to exhibit an obvious, fast, and reversible shape change upon exposure to near-infrared light. The proposed photodriven soft robot can perform various tasks with recoverable, dramatic, and sensitive deformation. The innovation offers a promising path toward miniaturized untethered robotic systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xinru Xu, Yuexin Yin, Mengke Yao, Xiaojie Yin, Feifei Gao, Yuanda Wu, Changming Chen, Fei Wang, Daming Zhang
Summary: A three-dimensional polymer variable optical attenuator (VOA) is proposed in this paper for monolithic integration of silica and polymer-based planar lightwave circuits (PLCs). Through optical and thermal analyses, a compact and high-performance VOA is achieved, showing great potential for various applications.
Article
Optics
Rahul Panchal, Aloka Sinha
Summary: We propose a multimode planar waveguide with a polymer core and an electrically tunable liquid crystal cladding. The waveguide is fabricated using a cost-effective photolithography technique. The refractive index of the cladding can be controlled by applying voltage, which affects the propagation of TM modes in the core. Experimental results show a low threshold voltage and a high extinction ratio, making this device suitable for low threshold electro-optic switching and optical attenuation.
OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Guangsheng Deng, Haisheng Mo, Zhifei Kou, Jun Yang, Zhiping Yin, Ying Li, Hongbo Lu
Summary: This paper proposes a fully electrically controlled method for reorientation of liquid crystal (LC) molecules and demonstrates its application in simplifying the metasurface preparation and shortening the response time of LC devices at terahertz frequency band. By incorporating interdigitated electrodes and applying different bias voltages, the permittivity of LC material can be dynamically tuned, leading to simplified device structure and improved response compared to traditional LC metasurfaces.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuxian Zhang, Hiroyuki Yoshida, SeongYong Cho, Jun-ichi Fukuda, Masanori Ozaki
Summary: In this study, the microscopic optical characterization of (211) crystal twinning in blue phases was conducted, revealing the effect of twinning on optical diffraction patterns and the pinning effect of twin boundaries during the cubic-to-orthogonal structure transformation. These findings not only provide insights for the application of blue phases as electro-optic crystals but also contribute to understanding hierarchical crystallographic structures.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kai-Hsiang Chan, Huey-Jiuan Lin, Shung-June Hwang
Summary: A novel method for realizing LPFG based on BPLC composites was proposed and experimentally demonstrated, showing cost-effectiveness and high flexibility in manufacturing the grating structure in an all-fibre system. The study investigated the optimum PIPS process conditions critical for reliable LPFG-based fibre devices, offering great potential for photonic applications.
Article
Optics
Li-Lan Tian, Fan Chu, Wei Duan, Rui Li, Xiao-Qing Gu, Lei Li, Qiong-Hua Wang
Summary: The proposed micro-optical device utilizes PMA and BPLC for beam steering, demonstrating polarization-independent property and suitability for micro beam deflection, with deflection angle calculated using Snell's law. The deflection angle of the micro beam changes from 0 degrees to 1.65 degrees with increasing applied voltage.
OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yanzhao Yang, Xuan Zhang, Yuanhao Chen, Xiao Yang, Jiazhe Ma, Jingxia Wang, Ling Wang, Wei Feng
Summary: This study presents the fabrication of humidity-driven color-changing photonic polymer coatings based on hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional blue phase liquid crystal networks, demonstrating their versatility in applications such as optical sensors, information encryption, adaptive camouflage, and humidity sensors. The research provides new insights into the development of stimuli-responsive advanced functional materials with customizable 3D photonic nanostructures for a wide range of technological applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Crystallography
Junyu Zou, Zhiyong Yang, Chongchang Mao, Shin-Tson Wu
Summary: Two high birefringence and low viscosity nematic mixtures have been reported for phase-only liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulators, with a fast response time and improved photostability. A distributed Bragg reflector is designed to cut off harmful UV and blue wavelengths, making these materials promising candidates for future 6G optical communications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Congcong Luo, Yingying Chen, Fang Chen, Honghua Xu, Qingwei Xie, Bing Yao, Yue Ding, Xihua Du, Jing Li, Jun Zhou, Ying Chen, Pengcheng Lin
Summary: The research demonstrates that doping GO into BPLC can enhance its responsive performance and temperature range, providing a new strategy for manufacturing wide temperature range and responsive BPLCs and multifunctional display materials.
Article
Optics
Yu-Kai Hong, Jui-Wen Pan, Shie-Chang Jeng
Summary: A hole-patterned electrode (HPE) liquid crystal (LC) lens with positive and negative focal lengths is demonstrated. The lens uses an optically compensated bend (OCB) cell filled with dual-frequency LC materials and alignment films with an intermediate pretilt angle. Compared with a complicated two-layer HPE LC lens, this simple one-layer structure with symmetric LC orientation in an OCB cell achieves better reduction in tilt and coma aberration.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jingquan Xu, Kexin Chen, Yingying Qu, Chen Liu, Songnian Fu, Deming Liu
Summary: This article presents a novel double gratings configuration based on LCOS optical filter, which achieves higher spectral resolution by enlarging and accumulating dispersion. With this configuration, a spectral resolution of 1.63 GHz is achieved, almost tenfold enhancement compared to traditional single grating configuration.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuyue Guo, Jinzhan Zhong, Bingjie Li, Shuxia Qi, Yu Li, Peng Li, Dandan Wen, Sheng Liu, Bingyan Wei, Jianlin Zhao
Summary: Metasurfaces provide a compact and powerful platform for manipulating light, with the capability of full-color holography encoded with arbitrary polarization. Applications such as holographic 3D imaging and information encryption are realized through the full degree of freedom tuning in polarization and color spaces. The strategy exhibits promising potential in applications of 3D display, augmented/virtual reality, high-density data storage, and encryption.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Lei Wang, Hongsong Qiu, Ping Jin, Shijun Ge, Zhixiong Shen, Wei Hu, Bingxiang Li, Makoto Nakajima, Biaobing Jin, Yanqing Lu
Summary: In this study, a method for generating broadband terahertz radiation using liquid crystal is proposed, and the relationship between terahertz amplitude, liquid crystal orientation, and pump energy density is investigated. Additionally, an elliptically polarized terahertz wave pattern is observed.
JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA B-OPTICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Sheng Liu, Shuxia Qi, Peng Li, Bingyan Wei, Peng Chen, Wei Hu, Yi Zhang, Xuetao Gan, Peng Zhang, Yanqing Lu, Zhigang Chen, Jianlin Zhao
Summary: The study demonstrates an analog of optical activity in free space using a specially designed liquid crystal element, which can be revoked by another element with the same structure. By switching the orientation of the optical element, equivalent leverotation and dextorotation can be achieved simultaneously, promising potential applications in non-magnetic optical devices like optical isolators.
LASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Lin Zhu, Chun-Ting Xu, Peng Chen, Yi-Heng Zhang, Si-Jia Liu, Quan-Ming Chen, Shi-Jun Ge, Wei Hu, Yan-Qing Lu
Summary: This work proposes an innovative scheme based on opposite-chirality-coexisted superstructures to simultaneously modulate orthogonal circular polarization and achieve PB phase reversal. By refilling cholesteric liquid crystal into a washed-out polymer network with opposite chirality and delicate photo-patterned structures, specific optical phenomena can be efficiently generated.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rui Yuan, Chun-Ting Xu, Han Cao, Yi-Heng Zhang, Guang-Yao Wang, Peng Chen, Yan-Qing Lu, Wei Hu
Summary: This research presents a spin-decoupled transflective spatial light modulator that can independently control the phase of reflected and transmitted light. A transflective orbital angular momentum encoder and decoder compatible with different multiplexing techniques is demonstrated.
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Weiwei Wu, Xiongjun He, Wenrui Yang, M. Shahria Alam, Bingyan Wei, Jia He
Summary: The corrosion degradation of reinforced concrete structures induced by harsh engineering environments is a worldwide recognized problem. Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (FRP) has excellent environmental corrosion resistance, and partial replacement of steel bars in harsh environments can effectively solve the durability problem of concrete structures.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Yuan Liu, Wei Chen, Yang Ming, Wang Zhang, Jie Tang, Rui Yuan, Wei Hu, Yan-Qing Lu
Summary: Linear conformal transformation provides an effective method for detecting the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of photons, but its applicability is limited to single or few separated wavelengths, and nondestructive detection cannot be achieved. A second-harmonic spiral transformation is described and demonstrated, which allows for IR-visible detection of OAM states over a wide range of wavelengths with low energy loss. The scheme also allows for flexibility in adjusting phase-matching conditions for lower energy losses or higher sensitivity.
LASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiqing Liang, Xiaoxian He, Dongmei Gu, Fucai Liu, Xiangru Wang, Tibin Zeng, Yingjie Zhou, Fan Fan, Wei Hu
Summary: This study proposes a novel method, called self-interference polarisation pantograph (SiPPer), for fabricating Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) devices. The SiPPer method utilizes self-interference effect to transfer polarization information to the focal plane of a photosensitive polarization sample losslessly. This method is compatible with all PB devices and can reduce the requirements on the exposing source.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongguan Yu, Huacai Wang, Qiguang Wang, Shijun Ge, Wei Hu
Summary: Recently, terahertz waves of higher frequencies have shown great potential in radar detection and high-speed wireless communication. Metamaterials and metasurfaces have become the most promising technique for the free manipulation of terahertz waves. Liquid crystals integrated with plasmonic metamaterials enable dynamically adjustable functions and offer potential applications in terahertz communication and imaging.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Optics
Chun-Ting Xu, De-Wei Zhang, Rui Yuan, Quan-Ming Chen, Xiao Liang, Wei Hu
Summary: This study explores a novel option for multiplexing called orbital angular momentum (OAM) to meet the increasing demand for information capacity. A polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal is used to achieve spatial phase modulation and on-demand tailoring of working bands. By varying the DC voltage, the working band of an OAM processor can be switched between narrowband and broadband states, enabling a wavelength-division-multiplexing compatible approach for OAM processing. This design offers a promising solution for liquid crystal planar optics and can advance massive information transmission and large-capacity data processing.
LASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Sai-Bo Wu, Jin-Bing Wu, Hui-Min Cao, Yan-Qing Lu, Wei Hu
Summary: This study investigates the generation and guidance of topological defects during phase transitions in liquid crystals. Two different types of defects are achieved depending on the thermodynamic process, with a stable array of toric focal conic domains (TFCDs) and a frustrated one generated in the smectic phase. The frustrated defect transfers to a metastable TFCD array and further changes to a crossed-walls type in the nematic state. This letter vividly describes the phase transition process and the roles of topological defects in order evolution, paving the way for further investigation in soft matter and other ordered systems.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Guang-Yao Wang, Chun-Yu Huang, Han Cao, Chun-Ting Xu, Wei Hu
Summary: Photon plays a dominant role in telecom as the information carrier due to its large bandwidth and low energy consumption. Optical encryption, using dual-channel intensities and a far-field hologram, provides enhanced data security. By programming different quick response codes in two intensity channels and transforming them according to the predetermined rule revealed by the hologram, a universal key for data encryption is created.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Shi-Yuan Wen, Bing-Yan Wei, Jie-Qiong Ma, Li Wang, Yan-Yan Chen
Summary: Plantago asiatica L., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been used as a vegetable and nutritious food in Asia for thousands of years. Recent research has shown that its active compounds have various health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. This article provides a detailed review of the 87 components of the plant, their structures, as well as their biological activities and molecular research progress. The findings of this review serve as valuable reference material for further study, production, and application of P. asiatica and its components in functional foods and therapeutic agents.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Quantum Science & Technology
Quan-Ming Chen, Chun-Ting Xu, Xiao Liang, Wei Hu
Summary: This paper reviews the recent progress on the customizable working band of liquid crystal planar optics enabled by helical structures. It summarizes the development of broadband transmissive devices, broadband reflective Bragg-Berry phase elements, transflective phase modulations, and external field shifted bands of planar optics. In addition to customization of the geometric phase and working band, manipulation of other optical parameters is also discussed. The self-assemblies and external field responsiveness of liquid crystals make them a perfect platform for full-dimensional manipulation of light.
ADVANCED QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
