In-Plane Liquid Crystal Beam Steering Devices with a Beam Separation Structure

In-plane liquid crystal beam steering devices with a beam separation structure have been investigated. The separation between ordinary and extraordinary beams could be realized by using a liquid crystal director inclined by 45° to an air-liquid crystal interface. Successful analog beam control of 8° is obtained under an application of in-plane electric field. Reflection and confinement phenomena are also obtained at the interface of the spatial distribution of the refractive index.