How can liquid crystal (LC) devices be used to control light? Traditionally LCs have been used as intensity modulators for use in displays. In their basic form, however, LCs are either polarization or phase modulators. It is only by placing them between suitable polarizers that the polarization or phase modulation can be converted into intensity modulation. In this paper we will discuss some of the applications of LCs other than intensity modulators, and describe some of the work at the University of Durham. In particular we will describe optical components such as lenses and prisms, that can be made using LC devices, which are adaptive that is their properties can be controlled.
展开▼
