Optical Tuning of the Reflection of Cholesterics Doped with Azobenzene Liquid Crystals (Postprint)

Abstract

Mixtures of cholesteric liquid crystals doped with high clearing temperature azobenzene nematic liquid crystals are shown to possess large, fast, and reversible dynamic photosensitive features. Selective wavelength shifts approaching 400 nm are reported, and depending on the host cholesteric liquid crystal, both red-shifted and blue-shifted wavelength changes can be induced. The photoinduced states of these material systems are shown to be stable for long periods of time upon removal of the radiation source, completely reversible, and dynamically fast. These phototunable features are demonstrated using both continuous wave (CW) and nanosecond laser beams. The latter is used to change the selective reflection wavelength from blue to green with a single nanosecond pulse and the ability to write information into these films using these processes are demonstrated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA473841

Entities

People

  • Nelson V. Tabiryan
  • Svetlana V. Serak
  • Timothy J. Bunning
  • Uladzimir A. Hrozhyk

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Azobenzenes
  • Continuous Waves
  • Crystals
  • Films
  • Governments
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Liquid Crystals
  • Materials
  • Optical Materials
  • Phase Transformations
  • Radiation
  • Reflection
  • Refractive Index
  • Transition Temperature

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy