Abstract

We report the formation of high optical power microlenses in the near-surface region of the liquid crystal layer. Such microlenses, possessing a very small focal length $f$ at a rather large aperture A ($f/{\rm{A}}\sim{{2}}$), are able to focus the light into spots of a characteristic size comparable with the wavelength. Using numerical modeling, a specific patterning profile of a liquid crystal (LC) alignment surface by an ion beam is proposed to provide the aligning properties necessary for the formation of an array of microlenses with a focal length comparable to the LC cell thickness. The proposed microlens arrays are produced, and their optical properties are discussed.

© 2021 Optical Society of America

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