Microsecond high‐contrast continuous 2.25π phase modulation based on non‐linear Kerr effect of vertically aligned deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Here we disclose a fast (ON time ∼50 μs and OFF time ∼25 μs at 55 °C), high‐contrast, continuous phase modulator without fringe field effect (FFE). The phase modulator uses the Kerr effect of vertically aligned deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystals (VADHFLCs). Specifically, FFE is a long‐term problem for nematic liquid crystals (NLCs). In this article, we are disclosing, for the first‐time found, that no FFE exists for VADHFLCs, even for phase modulator with 1‐μm pixel pitch. It is an attractive feature for ultra‐high‐resolution display and photonic applications. Moreover, the Kerr constant is 88 nm/V2, and the contrast ratio is larger than 1000:1. It is a promising candidate for high‐PPI augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) displays, wavelength selective switch (WSS), hologram, adaptive optics, and LiDARs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]