Optical properties of a liquid crystal microlens

The liquid crystal microlens can be obtained by molecular orientation effects in a non-uniform electric field which is produced by the asymmetric electrode structure with a hole-patterned electrode and an ITO coated counter electrode. In this cell, an axially symmetric distribution of the liquid crystal molecules; that is, a radial distribution of refractive indices is achieved. Relations between the optical properties and the geometric factors, such as the diameter of the hole-pattern and the thickness of the cell are investigated. An optical fiber coupler with a variable coupling efficiency is prepared and its switching properties are discussed.