Molecular Photonics of Supra Nonlinear Liquid Crystals
Abstract
This program is focused on understanding recent discoveries of the optical nonlinearities of the metaphases of liquid crystals, and novel nonlinear optical phenomena enabled by the extremely large nonlinearities in these material systems. Both collective and individual molecular optical properties have been investigated experimentally. Quantitative theories of the basic physics as well as novel phenomena and the working principles of multifunctional optical devices have also been developed. Specifically, (i) the large optical nonlinearities of nematic liquid crystals in the optical communication wavelength regime (1 .55 microns) as well as the visible region have been quantitatively established. (ii) All-optical self-action processes such as stimulated scattering and polarization switching, and self-starting optical phase conjugation using thin (microns) nematic films with very low power cw infrared lasers have been demonstrated, along with the development of quantitative theories. (iii) Novel optical elements/devices such as liquid-crystal photonic crystals, nonlinear optical fibers and fiber arrays were developed using nematic as well as isotropic phase liquid crystals. (iv) Quantitative theoretical descriptions of their tunable and nonlinear transmission/ reflection properties, and optical limiting actions and practical devices; feasibility demonstration of the nonlinear fiber array limiting devices. (v) Demonstration of the feasibility of optical soliton formation in nematic liquid crystals. (vi) Synthesis of a new class of extremely nonlinear liquid with superior optical limiting performance, wide temperature stability and very fast (picosecond - nanosecond) nonlinear electronic absorption properties suitable for limiting applications against agile frequency lasers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 11, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA414372
Entities
People
- Iam-choon Khoo
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University