Ultrafast switching of optical singularity eigenstates with compact integrable liquid crystal structures

Opt Express. 2018 Oct 29;26(22):28818-28826. doi: 10.1364/OE.26.028818.

Abstract

By using the strong nonlinear effect and ultrafast electronic response of cholesteric liquid crystals (CLC), ultrafast all optical switching between polarization vortex and phase vortex is realized in a system combining CLC and q-plate. The experimental result shows that switching with high modulation depth can be accomplished in less than 1 picosecond. Furthermore, CLC and q-plates will enable compact integrated devices with sub-mm thicknesses.