Fast switching characteristics of surface-relief microlens array based on a ferroelectric liquid crystal

We demonstrated a fast switching microlens array that is composed of a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) and a UV curable polymer. The electrically controlled microlens array was fabricated by preparing the FLC layer on one of two substrates in a sandwiched cell which has a pre-processed surface-relief structure of the UV curable polymer. Using the FLC as an active layer to modulate the refractive index, fast switching characteristics together with good focusing properties were obtained. The response time was found to be a few hundred microseconds. Moreover, the well-defined surface-relief structure of the UV curable polymer on one of the substrates allows for easy and inexpensive fabrication of the microlens array. The optical devices with such microlens array would be suitable for future optical communication components.