Liquid crystal tunable birefringent filters

Greg A. Kopp; Michael J. Derks; Alan Graham

doi:10.1117/12.256127

31 October 1996 Liquid crystal tunable birefringent filters

Greg A. Kopp, Michael J. Derks, Alan Graham

Proceedings Volume 2830, Optical Spectroscopic Techniques and Instrumentation for Atmospheric and Space Research II; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.256127
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

We discuss the design of tunable birefringent filters utilizing liquid crystals. The performance of several assembled filters is presented. We have incorporated nematic liquid crystals in Lyot and Solc filter designs to a low continuous spectral tunability. Liquid crystals can be manufactured as electrically variable retarders in the visible and near infrared spectral regions, and can provide filter tuning times as short as 20 msec. The performance characteristics and design enhancements of assembled tunable filters for diverse applications are discussed. These include: solar imaging in the near infrared with a narrow band filter; imaging fluorescence microscopy in the visible with a fast tuning filter; and airborne remote sensing over the 400-2500 nm spectral range with wide field of view filter.s Design considerations for improving speed, field of view, transmission and contrast of liquid crystal tunable filters are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Greg A. Kopp, Michael J. Derks, and Alan Graham "Liquid crystal tunable birefringent filters", Proc. SPIE 2830, Optical Spectroscopic Techniques and Instrumentation for Atmospheric and Space Research II, (31 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.256127

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