Passive optical self-limiter using laser-induced axially asymmetric and symmetric transverse self-phase modulations in nematic liquid crystals

Using low-power cw lasers in conjunction with the symmetric and asymmetric nonlinear transverse self-phase modulation imparted by a nematic liquid-crystal film, we have demonstrated two forms of transverse intensityswitching and power-limiting operations. Applications to high-power nanosecond laser are also feasible.