Optics design and fabrication of 3D electrically switchable hexagonal photonic crystal

We demonstrate a holographic approach for easy and large-area fabrication of 3D photonic crystal (PhC) microstructures in a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) by applying a single top-cut hexagonal prism and a seven-beam interference system. Based on the expected photonic band gap of the photonic crystal, the prism parameters are designed and optimized. For example, a prism with a height h=3.73 cm and a cross angle Delta *a=66? between the side face and the base is used to fabricate 3D PhC hexagonal symmetrical structures in PDLCs. A good agreement is obtained between the theoretical calculation of the interference intensity and morphological structures. On the other hand, far-field diffraction patterns and electrical switching characteristics are also investigated.