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Geometric phase-encoded stimuli-responsive cholesteric liquid crystals for visualizing real-time remote monitoring: humidity sensing as a proof of concept
- Source :
- Light: Science & Applications, Vol 13, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2024)
- Publication Year :
- 2024
- Publisher :
- Nature Publishing Group, 2024.
-
Abstract
- Abstract Liquid crystals are a vital component of modern photonics, and recent studies have demonstrated the exceptional sensing properties of stimuli-responsive cholesteric liquid crystals. However, existing cholesteric liquid crystal-based sensors often rely on the naked eye perceptibility of structural color or the measurement of wavelength changes by spectrometric tools, which limits their practical applications. Therefore, developing a platform that produces recognizable sensing signals is critical. In this study, we present a visual sensing platform based on geometric phase encoding of stimuli-responsive cholesteric liquid crystal polymers that generates real-time visual patterns, rather than frequency changes. To demonstrate this platform’s effectiveness, we used a humidity-responsive cholesteric liquid crystal polymer film encoded with a q-plate pattern, which revealed that humidity causes a shape change in the vortex beam reflected from the encoded cholesteric liquid crystal polymers. Moreover, we developed a prototype platform towards remote humidity monitoring benefiting from the high directionality and long-range transmission properties of laser beams carrying orbital angular momentum. Our approach provides a novel sensing platform for cholesteric liquid crystals-based sensors that offers promising practical applications. The ability to generate recognizable sensing signals through visual patterns offers a new level of practicality in the sensing field with stimuli-responsive cholesteric liquid crystals. This platform might have significant implications for a broad readership and will be of interest to researchers working in the field of photonics and sensing technology.
- Subjects :
- Applied optics. Photonics
TA1501-1820
Optics. Light
QC350-467
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20477538
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Light: Science & Applications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.46069cfffa5942e6a294a2b87c101bf2
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-023-01360-7