Molecular orientation effects in the CPW type LC devices for MMW phase shifting

T. Nose; S. Yanagihara; M. Honma

doi:10.1117/12.643731

23 February 2006 Molecular orientation effects in the CPW type LC devices for MMW phase shifting

T. Nose, S. Yanagihara, M. Honma

Proceedings Volume 6135, Liquid Crystal Materials, Devices, and Applications XI; 61350F (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.643731
Event: Integrated Optoelectronic Devices 2006, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Molecular orientation states in the liquid crystal (LC) cell can easily be deformed and change their properties by applying low driving voltage with low power consumption. Those features are also attractive for the various functional devices in the wider frequency regions such as a millimeter wave (MMW), although only the optics applications are well investigated as the display application is put the head of them. Waveguide systems are well known as an excellent way to make a low loss transmission circuit in the ultrahigh frequency region such as microwaves and MMWs, and then the LC devices utilizing the waveguide have been proposed so far. However, the planar waveguide has gathered many attractions for the wider functionality by integration. We adopt here a coplanar waveguide (CPW) substrate to prepare the planar type of LC MMW devices combined with an ITO glass substrate. Since the ITO film acts as a floating electrode to simplify the electrode structure, LC molecules can be driven by applying the voltage only to the CPW substrate. Unfortunately, since the ITO electrode close to the CPW decreases the transmission of the MMW, the molecular orientation effects related with the electrode structure are very important to minimize the electrode area. We prepare the transparent LC cell which has exactly the same electrode structure with the CPW LC cell, and observe the molecular orientation states in detail by using a polarization microscope. It becomes clear that only the narrow area above the signal electrode of the CPW affects strongly to the phase change of the MMW propagation in the CPW type LC cell.

Citation Download Citation

T. Nose, S. Yanagihara, and M. Honma "Molecular orientation effects in the CPW type LC devices for MMW phase shifting", Proc. SPIE 6135, Liquid Crystal Materials, Devices, and Applications XI, 61350F (23 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.643731

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available