Search

The field in the entrance pupil of a high NA lens can be optimized such that, for given incident power, the electric field component in a given direction in the focal point is maximum. If the field component is chosen parallel to the optical axis, the longitudinal component is maximized and it is found that the optimum longitudinal component is narrower than the Airy spot. We discuss how this can be used to obtain higher resolution in photolithography when a resist is used that is sensitive to only the longitudinal component. We describe a proposition for realizing such resist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel two-phase materials based on nematic liquid crystals (LC E7) filled with poly(propylene imine) dendrimers of 2-3 nm diameter were investigated for application in light-scattering, electro-optical switches. Polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and rheological experiments all indicate the presence of a pronounced polydomain structure within these LC mixtures. The molecular ordering and dynamics of the dendrimer-filled nematics were studied in more detail by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. The director order parameter S d was derived from the strength of the two principal molecular relaxations, α and δ, in the presence and absence of an electric field. In addition, a three-phase model was applied for determining the size of the different LC populations in the mixture. A substantial decrease in the fraction of randomly oriented LC was found upon application of a d.c. field. Over a broad temperature range the LC molecular dynamics were assessed from the variation in the strength of the dielectric relaxations as a function of the d.c. bias. A fast response was found at room temperature. Electro-optical switching experiments showed that the dendrimer-filled LCs can be switched rapidly from a light-scattering, opaque state to a more transparent state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]