Supra optical nonlinearities (SON) of methyl red- and azobenzene liquid crystal - Doped nematic liquid crystals

I. C. Khoo, P. H. Chen, M. Y. Shih, A. Shishido, S. Slussarenko, M. V. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

In nematic liquid crystal films doped with methyl-red dye or azobenzene liquid crystal, we have observed extremely efficient optically induced director axis reorientation effects, and refractive index change coefficients ≫ 1 cm2/W. The basic mechanisms involved are determined to be optically induced space charge fields and flow reorientation, order parameter modification and molecular torques by the photo-excited dopant molecules. These supra-optical nonlinearities (SONs) enable nonlinear image conversion, optical limiting and holographic grating formation with μW power lasers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalMolecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology, Section A: Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
Volume358
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Event8th International Topical Meeting on Optics of Liquid Crystals (OLC'99) - Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
Duration: Sep 27 1999Oct 1 1999

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Condensed Matter Physics

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