Modelling of optical components made of liquid crystals and liquid crystalline polymers

Birefringent components, such as waveplates, Wollaston or Nomarski prisms, used in acoustic transducers can be made from Liquid Crystals or Liquid Crystalline Polymers (LCPs). This may result in better integration of optical setups and in reduced cost and complexity of these transducers. Since Wollaston or Nomarski prisms made from these materials differ from those made from crystalline materially their key properties warrant closer examination. Modelling of light propagation in selected Nomarski prisms made from LCPs was performed using a birefringent ray-tracing algorithm. Obtained results were compared with those for corresponding prisms made from a crystalline material. Investigated Nomarski prisms made from LCPs have the plane of apparent splitting placed inside the component, which may be inconvenient for certain applications.