Survey of switchable lasing configurations using structures of liquid crystal and polymer dispersions

Scott J. Woltman; Matthew E. Sousa; Hailiang Zhang; Gregory P. Crawford

doi:10.1117/12.645247

23 February 2006 Survey of switchable lasing configurations using structures of liquid crystal and polymer dispersions

Scott J. Woltman, Matthew E. Sousa, Hailiang Zhang, Gregory P. Crawford

Proceedings Volume 6135, Liquid Crystal Materials, Devices, and Applications XI; 61350B (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.645247
Event: Integrated Optoelectronic Devices 2006, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

We investigate the fabrication of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals (H-PDLCs) for use as switchable laser cavities. H-PDLCs are liquid crystal and polymer dispersions used in grating applications for displays, optical communications and optical security. By controlling the pitch of the H-PDLC and the laser dye used, we are able to fabricate a tunable laser. H-PDLCs were made in both reflection and transmission modes to vary the method by which lasing action occurs. The dye-doped H-PDLCs were pumped with nanosecond pulses from a laser with emission at 532 nm and a power of approximately 6 mJ. Lasing action was observed using a spectrometer from the H-PDLC grating; peak wavelengths occurred over a range of wavelengths, depending on the dye used, with the full width of the emission peaks approximately 6-8 nm at half maximum. The lasing action can be turned on and off by the application and removal of an electric field due to the properties of an H-PDLC. Furthermore, we investigate multidimensional architectures and quasicrystal symmetries for lasing applications. Applications for these cells include use in small-scale portable devices requiring a tunable laser source.

Citation Download Citation

Scott J. Woltman, Matthew E. Sousa, Hailiang Zhang, and Gregory P. Crawford "Survey of switchable lasing configurations using structures of liquid crystal and polymer dispersions", Proc. SPIE 6135, Liquid Crystal Materials, Devices, and Applications XI, 61350B (23 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.645247

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available