Nonlinear dye-doped liquid crystals for fast and broadband CW and long-pulse laser power control and switching

J. D. Liou; J. H. Park; M. V. Stinger; A. Diaz; J. Huang; I. C. Khoo

doi:10.1117/12.732431

Translator Disclaimer

12 September 2007 Nonlinear dye-doped liquid crystals for fast and broadband CW and long-pulse laser power control and switching

J. D. Liou, J. H. Park, M. V. Stinger, A. Diaz, J. Huang, I. C. Khoo

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6654, Liquid Crystals XI; 66540T (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.732431
Event: Photonic Devices + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We present a theoretical model and some experiment demonstrations of all-optical passive switching processes with 90° twist-aligned nano-doped nematic liquid crystal cells sandwiched between two crossed polarizers. The photosensitive dopants give rise to laser induced dye-assisted director axis reorientation and order parameter modifications, which in turn produce an intensity dependent polarization switching and hence a transmission modulation capability. Experimental observations are in good agreement with our expectation derived from modified Jones matrix analysis and also demonstrate the feasibility of an efficient [microwatt power] low threshold polarization and fast switching [microseconds] all optical limiting device for visible as well as infrared lasers or bright light sources.

Citation Download Citation

J. D. Liou, J. H. Park, M. V. Stinger, A. Diaz, J. Huang, and I. C. Khoo "Nonlinear dye-doped liquid crystals for fast and broadband CW and long-pulse laser power control and switching", Proc. SPIE 6654, Liquid Crystals XI, 66540T (12 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.732431

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE