Molecular orientation and converging properties for thick liquid crystal micro lenses

Abstract

The liquid crystal micro lens (LC-ML) with a thick LC layer is studied for the molecular orientation and converging lens properties by the experiment and numerical simulation of 3D FDM. The voltage for the minimum focal length is shifted to the higher voltage side with increasing the ratio of pattern diameter, D, to LC layer thickness, t. It is considered that the region of center in the LC layer contributes dominantly the lens effect of LC-ML with small D/1 on the converging property. On the other hand, the effect of LC-ML with large D/t is given by the region close to the electrode substrate from the simulation result of LC molecular orientation.