High phase retardation polarization-independent liquid crystal devices

A polarization-independent single-layer liquid crystal (LC) device is demonstrated for high optical phase retardation. Using a single LC layer with twist angles of an integer multiple of 180 degrees, the LC device shows good polarization independence. As the phase retardation increases with the decrease of the twist angle, the LC device with a single LC layer of 180 degrees twist angle may get the highest polarization-independent phase retardation when the polarization dependence is less than 15%. Compared with OCB and ECB modes, the LC device with a twist angle of 180 degrees has a larger field of view (FoV). The simple structure LC device shows a great application for display, optical communication and imaging systems.