Liquid Crystal Microlens Array Using Double Lenticular Electrodes

A liquid crystal (LC) microlens array using double lenticular electrodes is proposed. Two identical substrates with a lenticular electrode on each surface are prepared. The two lenticular electrodes are placed in parallel position with a gap. When a voltage is applied across the electrodes, a periodically inhomogeneous electric field can be generated. Such an electric field can cause a homogeneous LC with a gradient refractive index distribution. Our experiment results show that the lens cell can present good focusing property. The shortest focal length (~ 1.1 mm) of the lens cell can be obtained at a low operating voltage (18 V
_rms
).