Abstract

We theoretically investigate optical birefringence originating from subwavelength structures in intrinsic birefringent media. Assuming alternating layers of isotropic and anisotropic materials, the propagation of optical waves is simulated on the basis of the finite difference time domain method. Optical polarization changes throughout the structure reveal the birefringence of the layered structure as a whole. In addition, the birefringence is also analyzed on the basis of effective medium theory. The results indicate that the optical birefringence of the structure as a whole can be modified by the magnitude and direction of the intrinsic birefringence of the anisotropic layers. This theoretical prediction will be useful for micro- and nanofabrication in optical devices.

© 2010 Optical Society of America

Highly controllable form birefringence in subwavelength-period grating structures fabricated by imprinting onpolarization-sensitive liquid crystalline polymers

Hiroshi Ono, Masaya Nishi, Tomoyuki Sasaki, Kohei Noda, Makoto Okada, Shinji Matsui, and Nobuhiro Kawatsuki
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 29(9) 2386-2391 (2012)

Polarization-sensitive diffraction in vector gratings combined with form birefringence in subwavelength-periodic structures fabricated by imprinting on polarization-sensitive liquid crystalline polymers

Hiroshi Ono, Masaya Nishi, Tomoyuki Sasaki, Kohei Noda, Makoto Okada, Shinji Matsui, and Nobuhiro Kawatsuki
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 31(1) 11-19 (2014)

Enhanced phase shift in a zeroth-order beam from subwavelength grating structures formed in uniaxial birefringent materials

Chien-Wei Han and Raymond K. Kostuk
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 13(8) 1728-1736 (1996)

Design considerations of form birefringent microstructures

Ivan Richter, Pang-Chen Sun, Fang Xu, and Yeshayahu Fainman
Appl. Opt. 34(14) 2421-2429 (1995)

Achromatic quarter-wave plates using the dispersion of form birefringence

Hisao Kikuta, Yasushi Ohira, and Koichi Iwata
Appl. Opt. 36(7) 1566-1572 (1997)