Infrared modulators based on liquid crystals

In this work liquid crystal (LC) modulators are considered. First one is based on electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) effect. A transducer with the thickness of 59 μm was prepared and liquid crystal material designed for infrared applications was used. The LC material shows mesomorphic phase in the room temperature and it has decreased absorption bands in the mid-infrared range (3 – 5 μm). The other considered modulator is a Fabry-Perot interferometer which can be used as a narrow band filter.