39.4: Polarization‐Independent Switching With High Contrast from a Liquid Crystal Polarization Grating

Abstract

Abstract We report experimental results of a liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG) modulating unpolarized light with high contrast for the first time. Striking results are observed: nearly ideal diffraction into the first orders at > 99%, contrast ratios of up to 600:1 for monochromatic light, switching times of ∼ 2 ms for nematic LCs, and threshold voltage of 1.65 Vrms.