Direct fabrication of a q-plate array by scanning wave photopolymerization

Abstract

Topological lightwave technologies are expected to be applied in a wide range of emerging optical fields such as q-plates, one of the most attractive devices in this research area, prepared by controlling the high-resolution alignment patterning of liquid crystals. Here, we present a simple and direct fabrication technique of a q-plate that is able to oscillate a vector beam, by employing our newly developed photoalignment concept termed scanning wave photopolymerization (SWaP). SWaP generates precise arbitrary molecular alignment patterns concurrent with irradiated light patterns, successfully fabricating a polymer film with a radial molecular alignment arranged in an array pattern in a single step. This array patterned alignment structure was able to simultaneously generate a vector beam, indicating that SWaP can be utilized for producing such topological lightwave applications.