Microseconds-nanoseconds all-optical switching of visible-near infrared (0.5μm-1.55μm) lasers with dye-doped nematic liquid crystals

I. C. Khoo, J. Liou, M. V. Stinger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Laser induced disorder is an efficient and very fast mechanism to induce changes in the birefringence of nematic liquid crystals, which in turn enable many nonlinear optical processes. Using a 90-degrees twist alignment nematic liquid crystal doped with suitable dye to impart the required photonic absorption and order parameter modulation, we have demonstrated ultrafast all-optical shuttle operation for lasers spanning the visible to near-infrared spectral region (532nm; 488nm; 750nm; 1060nm; 1550nm). With increasing intensity, the on-time of the switch decreases from microseconds to the nanoseconds regime, in such a manner that the transmitted light energy/intensity is clamped to below the eye- or sensor-safe levels.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)109/[265]-118/[274]
JournalMolecular crystals and liquid crystals
Volume527
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Microseconds-nanoseconds all-optical switching of visible-near infrared (0.5μm-1.55μm) lasers with dye-doped nematic liquid crystals'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this