Abstract

A theoretical and computer model has been developed for the dependence of the phase-lag difference on the pretilt angle of the liquid-crystal director in cells with an inhomogeneous distribution of the director over the cell thickness and with different angles on the opposing substrates of the cell. A method is described for calculating how the normalized phase-lag difference depends on the distribution law of the director tilt angle over the thickness of the cell. The method can be used for various types of liquid-crystal cells, with positive or negative dielectric or optical anisotropy. A method is proposed for measuring the tilt angle on one of the substrates of a hybrid cell when the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal on the other substrate is known. The model thus developed can be used in designing optical compensators.

© 2015 Optical Society of America

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