Adaptive Graded Index Photonic Crystal Lens Design via Nematic Liquid Crystals

An adaptive graded index photonic crystal (GRIN PC) lens system is designed by using liquid crystal (LC) infiltration. LCs have the property to change their refractive indices when an external voltage is applied. This feature allows for the modulation on the effective index profile of the low-index contrast GRIN PC lens. Alongside this property, without changing the length of the designed 2D GRIN PC, the corresponding focal distance can be adapted from infinity to a certain positive or negative focal point by controlling the applied voltage. The effects of random perturbations and intentional line defects on the focal tuning capability of proposed 2D GRIN PC are also studied. Moreover, due to the scalability of PC's dispersion relations, the sizes of the proposed devices can be adapted so that it may operate in either infrared or microwave regimes. Consequently, the proposed tunable polymeric GRIN PC can be implemented in various optical applications, such as near-field imaging and scanning systems, vision correction, and auto-focusing.