Dual-mode control of light by two-dimensional periodic structures realized in liquid-crystalline composite materials

We report on the realization of a 2D refractive structure consisting of a polymer-liquid-crystal polymer slice grid. Nematic liquid crystal microdomains are confined inside well-sculptured elliptical cavities; experimental investigation shows that the liquid crystal director lies in the plane of the structure and its orientation follows a preferred direction. The sample exhibits both an electro-optical and an all-optical response owing to a small percentage of photosensitive azo dye included in the structure. A double external control of the two-dimensional grating efficiency can indeed be operated either by an optical pump beam or by the standard technique of applying a suitable external voltage to the sample. © 2010 Optical Society of America.