Polarization bistability in cholesteric liquid crystals
Abstract
Cholesteric liquid crystals possess an intrinsic helical structure which enables them to selectively reflect circularly polarized light if the wavelength of the light matches the pitch of the helix. It was shown that intense light can change the pitch of the cholesteric and lead to a bistable reflection characteristic for wavelengths in the Bragg regime. In the Mauguin limit there are no Bragg reflections and, except for normal dielectric reflections, an incident wave will enjoy 100% transmission. It is found that the cholesteric represents a twisted, birefringent medium, and the polarization state of the light evolves periodically in space.
- Publication:
-
In Opt. Soc. Am. Topical Meeting on Opt. Bistability 2p (SEE N84-24381 14-76
- Pub Date:
- January 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984osa..meetR....W
- Keywords:
-
- Cholesterol;
- Free Energy;
- Liquid Crystals;
- Optical Bistability;
- Polarization (Waves);
- Anisotropic Fluids;
- Bragg Angle;
- Crystallography;
- Curves (Geometry);
- Euler-Lagrange Equation;
- Solid-State Physics