Mechanical tuning of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal reflection gratings

Abstract

Holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal reflective structures have been formed using a highly elastic photopolymer. The elasticity allows for mechanical tuning of the reflection notch by over 120nm in the visible spectral range using compressive stress. The shift in the central position of the reflection notch is related to the strain in the system and an effective elastic modulus for the structure is obtained.