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All-optical polarization-independent diffraction in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal

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Abstract

We present a detailed description of a novel dye-doped cholesteric LC cell that exhibits polarization-independent diffraction based on a photochromic mechanism. The photochromic phase grating exhibited over 90% polarization independence of the writing beams, and over 90% polarization-independent self and probe diffractions were observed. No external ac or dc field is needed for operation. Unpolarized light can also be used for writing-in beam and/or read-out beam, making this method immediately suitable for applications of light modulation. To our knowledge this cell represents the first example of polarization-independent photochromic phase modulation and light diffraction, for both writing and probe beams, in an anisotropic liquid crystalline material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas, 79016

    Y. -J. Wang, M. Pei, P. Peng & G. O. Carlisle

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  1. Y. -J. Wang
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  2. M. Pei
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  3. P. Peng
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  4. G. O. Carlisle
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Correspondence to G. O. Carlisle.

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Wang, Y.J., Pei, M., Peng, P. et al. All-optical polarization-independent diffraction in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 17, 385–391 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-006-7475-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-006-7475-2

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