Abstract
We provide a critical account of the dynamics of laser induced refractive index changing mechanisms in nematic liquid crystals which may be useful for all-optical switching and modulation applications in the visible as well as the Terahertz and long-wavelength regime. In particular, the magnitude and response times of optical Kerr effects associated with director axis reorientation, thermal and order parameter changes, coupled flow-reorientation effects and individual molecular electronic responses are thoroughly investigated and documented, along with exemplary experimental demonstrations. Emphases are placed on identifying parameter sets that will enable all-optical switching with much faster response times compared to their conventional electro-optics counterparts.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 37-56 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Progress in Electromagnetics Research |
Volume | 147 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2014 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Radiation
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering