Electro-optic switching of VO2 films for infrared spatial light modulation

Abstract

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) films have optical properties that are strongly temperature dependent. Optical switching of VO2 thin films with co-planar surface electrodes is demonstrated and characterized for possible spatial light modulating applications in the mid-infrared. Switch time, amplitude, voltage, and recovery are reported for electrode gap sizes from 200 to 800 microns.