Optical edge imaging based on the birefringence property and electro-optic tunability characteristic of the liquid crystals

Abstract

Edge imaging is now an efficient way capable of demonstrating boundary features of an object, which is widely applied in optical imaging, robot vision. In this article, we propose an electrically regulated wedge liquid crystal (LC) cell for edge imaging based upon the combination of the large birefringence of LC and its electro-optic tunable characteristic, and its imaging principle of this element has been theoretically analysed. The experimental results wonderfully manifest that this method can achieve broadband edge imaging and realise real-time mode switch between edge image and original image which can be controlled by a proper voltage. We also demonstrate that the function for achieving electrically controllable resolution is feasible in theory.