Dual-Mode Liquid Crystal Microlens Arrays for Chaotic Encryption

Abstract

Based on our previous works on liquid crystal (LC) microlenses driven electrically, we present a new type of dual-mode liquid crystal microlens arrays (DLCMAs) for chaotic encryption applications. Currently, the DLCMAs developed by us consist of a top electrode couple constructed by two layers of controlling electrode and a bottom planar electrode. Aluminium and Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) materials are respectively deposited over both sides of a glass substrate for shaping the top electrode couple, which is used to act as a key mode-control-part in the DLCMAs. Another ITO layer is deposited over the surface of another glass substrate for shaping the bottom public electrode. Both glass substrates with fabricated electrode structures are coupled into a microcavity fully filled by a layer of nematic liquid crystal materials. The DLCMAs proposed in this paper present excellent beam divergence and light convergence performances through loading relatively low driving voltage signals. The common optical properties of the devices, leading to a type of optical modulator of chaotic beams or light intensity adjustment devices for chaotic light coupling between functioned components, are demonstrated experimentally.