Beam steering by liquid crystal elastomer fibres
Anno: 2017
Autori: Nocentini S., Martella D., Wiersma D., Parmeggiani C.
Affiliazione autori: European Laboratory for Non Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Sede Secondaria di Sesto Fiorentino, via Nello Carrara 1, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
Abstract: The problem of utilizing a laser beam as an information vehicle and dividing it into different channels is an open problem in the telecommunication field. The switching of a signal into different ports has been demonstrated, to date, by employing complex devices and mechanisms such as the electro optic effect, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirrors, or liquid crystal-based spatial light modulators (SLMs). We present here a simple device, namely a mirror held by a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) fibre, as an optically and remotely driven beam steerer. In fact, a considered signal (laser beam) can be addressed in every in-plane direction by controlling the fibre and mirror rotation, i.e., the deflected probe beam angle. Such movement is possible due to the preparation of LCE fibres able to rotate and contract under a selective light stimulus. By adjusting the irradiation stimulus power, elastic fibres are able to rotate with a specific angle, performing more than one complete revolution around their axis. The described movement is perfectly reversible as soon as the stimulus is removed.
Giornale/Rivista: SOFT MATTER
Volume: 13 (45) Da Pagina: 8590 A: 8596
Maggiori informazioni: The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013)/ERC grant agreement no. 291349 on photonic micro-robotics, from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 654148 from Laserlab-Europe and from Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze (2015/0781 and 2015/0782).Parole chiavi: Elastomers; Electromechanical devices; Fibers; Laser beams; Light modulators; Liquid crystals; Liquids; MEMS; Microelectromechanical devices; Mirrors, Complex devices; Elastic fibres; Electrooptic effects; In-plane direction; Light stimuli; Liquid crystal elastomers; Microelectromechanical system mirrors; Spatial light modulators; Laser mirrorsDOI: 10.1039/c7sm02063eCitazioni: 47dati da “WEB OF SCIENCE” (of Thomson Reuters) aggiornati al: 2024-12-08Riferimenti tratti da Isi Web of Knowledge: (solo abbonati) Link per visualizzare la scheda su IsiWeb: Clicca quiLink per visualizzare la citazioni su IsiWeb: Clicca qui