Experimental investigation of one-sided optical transparency in cholesteric liquid crystal thin film

Influence of boundary conditions on optical properties of a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) has been investigated. In particular, a sample was obtained which is transparent for circularly polarized light incident from one side and gives losses in the transmission spectrum (within nearly 100 nm wide wavelength range) if light is incident from the opposite side, i.e. exhibits optical diode behavior. Two selective reflection bands were detected in the reflection spectrum of the sample. Spectral position of both selective reflection bands and transmission spectrum are shown to be CLC temperature-controllable.