Electrically controlled optical choppers based on holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal gratings

An electrically controlled optical chopper based on switchable holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) gratings is demonstrated through a programmable, adjustable, and periodic external driving source. Compared with traditional mechanical optical choppers, the H-PDLC chopper exhibits many advantages, including faster response time, less waveform deformation, as well as easier integration, control, and fabrication, to name a few. Its excellent performance makes the device potentially useful in frequency modulation optical systems, such as frequency division multiplexed microscopy system.