Recent progress in liquid crystal (LC) polarization rotators has enabled voltage-tunable and broadband polarization control for next-generation photonic and display applications. Conventional approaches relying on waveplates or Faraday rotators suffer...
Recent progress in liquid crystal (LC) polarization rotators has enabled voltage-tunable and broadband polarization control for next-generation photonic and display applications. Conventional approaches relying on waveplates or Faraday rotators suffer from strong wavelength dependence and structural complexity. LC-based devices, by contrast, achieve polarization rotation through twist–tilt coupling of the LC director, offering compact, power-efficient, and easily tunable operation. This review presents an overview of the fundamental principles, structural classifications, and recent advancements in LC polarization rotators, focusing on ultra-broadband and low-voltage operation. Key developments such as asymmetrically anchored LC rotators and pre-twisted hybrid aligned nematic (HAN) structures are discussed in detail, highlighting their physical mechanisms, optical performance, and fabrication feasibility. The comparison of degree of linear polarization (DoLP), twist angle control, and voltage response across different designs reveals the strong potential of LC rotators for optical communication, imaging, and smart photonic systems