Liquid crystal-based square lens array with tunable focal length

We demonstrate a liquid crystal (LC)-based square lens array with two focusing modes according to the polarization state of the input light. The homogeneously aligned LC layer is placed on an array of static square lenses fabricated using a photo-curable polymer whose refractive index is matched with the refractive index of the LC. For the input beam polarized parallel to the easy axis of the LC, the focal length is varied with the applied voltage from a few meters to 21 mm which corresponds to the focal length of the static lens. For the perpendicularly polarized input beam, the focal length is independent of the applied voltage and remains constant. The two focusing effects with high optical performance over fully activated areas are useful for polarization-dependent imaging systems and three-dimensional displays in projection and integral imaging.