North Carolina State University

Brandon L Conover

Chulwoo Oh

Ravi Kumar Komanduri

Michael James Escuti

Jihwan Kim

A liquid crystal device includes a first polarization grating, a second polarization grating, and a liquid crystal layer. The first polarization grating is configured to polarize and diffract incident light into first and second beams having different polarizations and different directions of propagation relative to that of the incident light. The liquid crystal layer is configured to receive the first and second beams from the first polarization grating. The liquid crystal layer is configured to be switched between a first state that does not substantially affect respective polarizations of the first and second beams traveling therethrough, and a second state that alters the respective polarizations of the first and second beams traveling therethrough. The second polarization grating is configured to analyze and diffract the first and second beams from the liquid crystal layer to alter the different directions of propagation thereof in response to the state of the liquid crystal layer. Related devices are also discussed.

Polarization-independent liquid crystal display devices including multiple polarizing grating arrangements and related devices

A liquid crystal device includes a first polarization grating (), a second polarization grating (), and a liquid crystal layer (). The first polarization grating () is configured to polarize and diffract incident light () into first and second beams () having different polarizations and different directions of propagation relative to that of the incident light (). The liquid crystal layer () is configured to receive the first and second beams () from the first polarization grating (). The liquid crystal layer () is configured to be switched between a first state that does not substantially affect respective polarizations of the first and second beams () traveling therethrough, and a second state that alters the respective polarizations of the first and second beams () traveling therethrough. The second polarization grating () is configured to analyze and diffract the first and second beams () from the liquid crystal layer () to alter the different directions of propagation thereof in response to the state of the liquid crystal layer (). Related devices are also discussed.

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Fuquay-Varina, NC, United States of America

Brandon L Conover