Acute twist nematic (ATN) liquid crystal device for optical communication applications

摘要

A twisted nematic liquid crystal-based electro-optic modulator with a twist angle between 0 and 90 , and preferably between 50 and 80 is provided. The modulator provides a relatively rapid switching time such as less than about 50 milliseconds, and provides relatively large extinction ratios, such as greater than -25 dB. Preferably the liquid crystal entrance director differs from the polarization direction by a beta angle of about 15