Optical defect modes in chiral liquid crystals

An analytic approach to the theory of optical defect modes in chiral liquid crystals (CLCs) is developed. The analytic study is facilitated by the choice of the problem parameters. Specifically, an isotropic layer (with the dielectric susceptibility equal to the average CLC dielectric susceptibility) sandwiched between two CLC layers is studied. The chosen model allows eliminating the polarization mixing and reducing the corresponding equations to the equations for light of diffracting polarization only. The dispersion equation relating the defect mode (DM) frequency to the isotropic layer thickness and an analytic expression for the field distribution in the DM structure are obtained and the corresponding dependences are plotted for some values of the DM structure parameters. Analytic expressions for the transmission and reflection coefficients of the DM structure (CLC-defect layer-CLC) are presented and analyzed for nonabsorbing, absorbing, and amplifying CLCs. The anomalously strong light absorption effect at the DM frequency is revealed. The limit case of infinitely thick CLC layers is considered in detail. It is shown that for distributed feedback lasing in a defect structure, adjusting the lasing frequency to the DM frequency results in a significant decrease in the lasing threshold. The DM dispersion equations are solved numerically for typical values of the relevant parameters. Our approach helps clarify the physics of the optical DMs in CLCs and completely agrees with the corresponding results of the previous numerical investigations.     

Optical edge modes in photonic liquid crystals

An analytic theory of localized edge modes in chiral liquid crystals (CLCs) is developed. Equations determining the edge-mode frequencies are found and analytically solved in the case of low decaying modes and are solved numerically for the problem parameter values typical for the experiment. The discrete edge-mode frequencies specified by the integer numbers n are located close to the stop-band edge frequencies outside the band. The expressions for the spatial distribution of the n’s mode field in a CLC layer and for its temporal decay are presented. The possibilities of a reduction of the lasing threshold due to the anomalously strong absorption effect are theoretically investigated for a distributed feedback lasing in CLCs. It is shown that a minimum of the threshold pumping wave intensity may be reached, generally, for the pumping wave propagating at an angle to the helical axis. However, for lucky values of the related parameters, it may be reached for the pumping wave propagating along the helical axis. The lowest threshold pumping wave intensity occurs for the lasing at the first low-frequency band-edge lasing mode and the pumping wave propagating at an angle to the spiral axis corresponding to the first angular absorption maximum of the anomalously strong absorption effect at the high-frequency edge of the stop band. The study is performed in the case of the average dielectric constant of the liquid crystal coinciding with the dielectric constant of the ambient material. Numerical calculations of the distributed feedback lasing threshold at the edge-mode frequencies are performed for typical values of the relevant parameters.     

Holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals using vinyltrimethoxysilane

Various amounts of vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMOS) have been added to the conventional grating formulation of transmission holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) based polyurethane acrylate (PUA). With the addition and increasing amount of VTMOS, contact angle of the film with LC and droplet size of LC monotonically increased, implying that VTMOS segments of the polymers are preferentially exposed to the surfaces and provided greater immiscibility with LC molecules giving rise to an increase in droplet size of LC. However, with VTMOS content over 6 wt%, droplets were coalesced to sizes for random scatterings to lower the off state diffraction efficiency below that of virgin PUA. VTMOS was essential to drive the film by lowering the anchoring strength. The operating voltage monotonically decreased with increasing VTMOS content with a minimum switching voltage of about 15 V with response time of about 8 ms.     

Optical defect modes at an active defect layer in photonic liquid crystals

An analytic approach to the theory of the optical defect modes in photonic liquid crystals in the case of an active defect layer is developed. The analytic study is facilitated by the choice of the problem parameters related to the dielectric properties of the studied structures. The chosen models allow eliminating polarization mixing at the external surfaces of the studied structures. The dispersion equations determining the relation of the defect mode (DM) frequency to the dielectric characteristics of an isotropic, birefringent and absorbing (amplifying) defect layer and its thickness are obtained. Analytic expressions for the transmission and reflection coefficients of the defect mode structure (DMS) (photonic liquid crystal-active defect layer-photonic liquid crystal) are presented and analyzed. The effect of anomalously strong light absorption at the defect mode frequency for an absorbing defect layer is discussed. It is shown that in a distributed feed-back lasing at the DMS with an amplifying defect layer, adjusting the lasing frequency to the DM frequency results in a significant decrease in the lasing threshold and the threshold gain decreases as the defect layer thickness increases. It is found that, generally speaking, the layer birefringence and dielectric jumps at the interfaces of the defect layer and photonic liquid crystal reduce the DM lifetime in comparison with the DMS with an isotropic defect layer without dielectric jumps at the interfaces. Correspondingly, generally speaking, the effect of anomalously strong light absorption at the defect mode frequency and the decrease in the lasing threshold are not so pronounced as in the case of the DMS with an isotropic defect layer without dielectric jumps at the interfaces. The case of a DMS with a low defect layer birefringence and sufficiently large dielectric jumps are studied in detail. The options of effectively influencing the DM parameters by changing the defect layer dielectric properties, and the birefringence in particular, are discussed.     

Polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals as switchable photonic broad bandgaps

A cholesteric liquid crystal can be considered as a one-dimensional photonic crystal with a refractive index that is regularly modulated along the helix axis because of the particular arrangement of the molecules. The result is that the propagation of light is suppressed for a particular range of wavelengths (bandgap). A polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCLC), which is obtained by in situ photopolymerization of reactive liquid-crystal molecules in the presence of non-reactive liquid-crystal molecules in an oriented Bragg planar texture, is elaborated by combining the UV-curing with a thermally induced pitch variation. As a consequence, it is shown here that memory effects are introduced into the characteristics of the reflection band of the material at room temperature. In the visible spectrum, the reflection bandwidth can be tuned in agreement with the thermal ramp and broadened. In addition, the bandgap filters can be switched between broadband reflective, scattering and transparent states by subjecting them to an electric field. Related application fields of these functional materials are switchable smart windows for the control of the solar-light spectrum and white-or-black polarizer-free reflective displays.     

Thermally switchable flexible liquid crystal devices in prepolymer-doped cholesteric liquid crystals

This work describes an approach for fabricating thermally switchable flexible liquid crystal devices in prepolymer-doped cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs). The roughness of the UV-cured polymer film eliminates the stability of planar CLCs, allowing the textures in the UV-cured regions to be changed from planar to focal conic. Impurities associated with doping with prepolymers cause the clearing temperature of LCs in the UV-cured regions to differ from that in the uncured regions as the prepolymers are polymerized. Therefore, the textures in these two regions can be switched by controlling the temperature. Thermally switchable flexible LC devices, such as optically addressed smart cards, light valves, and others, can be realized using this approach.     

Viscoelastic modes in chiral liquid crystals

Viscoelastic properties of liquid crystals are very important for applications like display technology. However, there are not many direct techniques to study them. In this review, we describe our studies on the viscoelastic modes of some chiral liquid crystals using dynamic light scattering. We discuss viscoelastic modes corresponding to the C director fluctuations in the chiral smectic C phase and the behaviour of the Goldstone-mode near the chiral smectic C-smectic A phase transition. In cholesteric liquid crystals, we consider the director fluctuations in a wavevector range comparable to the inverse pitch of the cholesteric. Here, the study of the scattered light in the vicinity of the Bragg reflection using a novel geometry will be presented.     

Optical studies in liquid crystals using the high-accuracy universal polarimeter

The so-called high-accuracy universal polarimeter (HAUP) is introduced as a tool to study optical properties of liquid crystals. It is shown that besides homogeneous crystals, the HAUP method also permits to investigate inhomogeneous materials, provided that the optical parameters vary slowly on a wavelength scale. The technique is especially useful when small effects are sought. Measurements are presented for several twisted nematic samples. Twist angles are measured with high accuracy and non-adiabatic effects for light propagation, such as apparent indicatrix rotations or effective gyrations, are easily detected. The results agree well with the predictions of a first-order perturbation treatment for light propagation through a stratified medium. Finally, the changes of the director profile are analyzed in a planar sample that presents a chiral nematic to smectic-A transition. The experimental data indicate that if the rubbing directions of the cell are not strictly parallel, the molecules at the surfaces undergo small twists in both phases, and the twist parameters are determined. Received 13 September 1999 and Received in final form 25 January 2000     

Optical birefringence and anisotropic scattering in acrylate based holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals

In this work, we experimentally study the evolution of the diffraction efficiency and birefringence of a holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal grating. It is shown that the onset of birefringence coincides closely with the moment when TE and TM polarizated probes start to diffract differently. Light scattering, caused by liquid crystal droplets, is also monitored to understand the dynamics of droplet formation and growth. It is shown that the onset of anisotropic scattering and birefringence also occur almost simultaneously.     

Optical visualization of deformations with nematic liquid crystals

Nematic liquid crystals are shown to be able to visualize elastic deformations even if no dynamic scattering is present. At low values of the elastic energy density, by observing the excited birefringence it is possible to map the normal modes of the elastic disturbance. At higher energy density a cellular motion (rolls) is produced which, in the homeotropic geometry, gives rise to a domain pattern which allows to visualize the velocity field. Work supported by Gruppo Nazionale di Struttura della Materia (GNSM) of CNR.     

电控聚合物分散液晶全息透镜及特性研究

报道位相型电控聚合物分散液晶(H-PDLC)全息衍射透镜的研制及特性研究,理论上,根据耦合波理论,研究了不同的相分离程度系数下,理想位相型电控聚合物分散液晶(H-PDLC)全息衍射透镜在可见光波长(400—800nm)的衍射特性.实验研制了衍射效率最高为70%的电控H-PDLC变焦透镜样品,研究表明H-PDLC透镜具有优良的成像特性,和快速响应的电控开关特性,在光学成像系统,光通信系统中具有良好的应用前景.     

Optical nonlinearities in lyotropic liquid crystals

Summary The existence of an optical nonlinearity of the Kerr-like type in a lyotropic liquid crystal is described in c.w. operation. The nonlinearity is found using the liquid crystal as a cladding material in a waveguide, or studying the interface properties between the liquid crystal and an ordinary glass. The used material is potassium caprillate and the nonlinearity is ascribed to thermal effects. Work performed with partial support from MPI-40% (Italian Education Ministry) and GNEQP-CNR (Italian National Research Council-Quantum Electronics Group).     

Bichromatic coherent random lasing from dye-doped polymer stabilized blue phase liquid crystals controlled by pump light polarization

In this paper, we investigate the bichromatic coherent random lasing actions from the dye-doped polymer stabilized blue phase liquid crystals. Two groups of lasing peaks, of which the full widith at half maximum is about 0.3 nm, are clearly observed. The shorter- and longer-wavelength modes are associated with the excitation of the single laser dye (DCM) monomers and dimers respectively. The experimental results show that the competition between the two groups of the lasing peaks can be controlled by varying the polarization of the pump light. When the polarization of the pump light is rotated from 0° to 90°, the intensity of the shorter-wavelength lasing peak group reduces while the intensity of the longer-wavelength lasing peak group increases. In addition, a red shift of the longer-wavelength modes is also observed and the physical mechanisms behind the red-shift phenomenon are discussed.     

X-ray scattering from polymer nematic liquid crystals

X-ray scattering from main chain polymer nematics is discussed from the point of view of its use in studying the ordering and fluctuations of the polymer chains that make up the nematic phase. An example of data from poly-γ-benzyl glutamate is given, with a discussion of the important features of the data, in terms of the current understanding of the nature of nematic ordering in main chain polymer systems. This includes analyses of the angular distribution function for the polymer segments, long wavelength fluctuations dictated by elastic phenomena, the effects of finite chain lengths, and effects due to the short range interactions and packing of the chains.     

Electro-optical properties of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal film

Liquid crystals (LCs) and polymers are extensively used in various electro-optical applications.In this paper,normal mode polymer stabilized cholesteric LC film is prepared and studied.The effects of chiral dopant and monomer concentrations on the electro-optical properties,such as contrast ratio,driving voltage,hysteresis width and response time,are investigated.The reasons of electro-optical properties influenced by the concentrations of the materials are discussed.Through the proper material recipe,the electro-optical properties of polymer stabilized cholesteric LC film can be optimized.     

Optical surface modes of photonic crystals for dual-polarization waveguide

In this study, the design of a polarization-independent (dual-polarization) waveguide is presented by utilizing surface modes of photonic crystals. The waveguide structure operates in a frequency interval that is commonly shared by both transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) polarizations. The numerical calculations based on plane wave expansion and finite-difference time-domain methods are carried out to design and demonstrate a surface mode waveguide that provides confinement and guiding for both TE and TM modes. Once the relevant modes are properly excited, the high transmission efficiency of the photonic crystal surface waveguide is ensured. The demand to have polarization-insensitive devices makes our proposed design an important component for the photonic integrated circuit applications. Finally, we also propose a broadband surface mode photonic crystal waveguide with a bandwidth value of 28% for only TE polarization.     

Optical addressing in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals

This study investigates a method of optical addressing in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals (DDCLCs). Photo-induced randomly adsorbed dyes can change the CLC textures from planar to focal conic. Such patterning can be adopted to develop a display that is initially invisible, but becomes visible upon heating above the clearing temperature, followed by cooling to room temperature. The display can also become visible upon the application of a suitable voltage, and its rapid release. Additionally, the display is thermally erasable, optically rewritable and electrically switchable. It can be applied for use as a smart card.     

Switching of liquid-crystal devices between reflective and transmissive modes using long-pitch cholesteric liquid crystals

We propose liquid-crystal (LC) devices capable of switching between reflective and transmissive modes using the scattering and transparent states of long-pitch cholesteric LCs (CLCs). Two different device configurations can be realized by changing the location of a CLC layer. Low-power operation without the parallax problem can be achieved using the bistable switching of CLCs. We believe that the proposed devices are potential candidates for highly efficient transflective displays.     

Optical multisoliton generation in nematic liquid crystals

The nonlocal nonlinearity stemming from molecular reorientation in nematic liquid crystals supports the formation of multiple solitary waves, following the onset of spatial modulational instability from both wide and focused input beams. We report experimental observations of such phenomena at power levels of hundreds of milliwatts in planar cells with a voltage bias.