SBIR/STTR Research Award
Polarization Rotator Based on Chiral Smectic Liquid Crystals Utilizing Electroclinic Effect
Award amount
$64,241Program and phase
SBIR · Phase IAward year
1998Award details
- Awarding agency
- Department of Defense
- Branch
- Missile Defense Agency
- Recipient company
- Licom Technologies, Inc.
- Proposal award date
- Not reported
- Contract end date
- Not reported
- UEI
- Not reported
- Solicitation number
- Not reported
- Topic code
- Not reported
Research abstract
The use of fast switching liquid crystals will be used to make an electrically controlled polarization rotator capable of rotating input polarized light by as much as 90 degrees. The principle of operation is based on an electrically controlled liquid crystal element that behaves essentially as a rotatable half wave plate. The focus of the work will be on characterizing the effectiveness of the electroclinic effect in chiral smectic liquid crystals with respect to its switching speed and polarization capabilities. The targeted goal would be to make a reliable liquid crystal component that can be used as a stand alone device or as a building block for more complex optical systems.
Technology keywords
Not reported