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Applied Optics

Applied Optics

APPLICATIONS-CENTERED RESEARCH IN OPTICS

  • Editor: Joseph N. Mait
  • Vol. 50, Iss. 30 — Oct. 20, 2011
  • pp: 5788–5790

Optics InfoBase > Applied Optics > Volume 50 > Issue 30 > Page 5788

Simple way for achieving passive all-optical switching of continuous waves lasers using pure nematic liquid crystal

C. Sheng, Q. Chen, R. A. Norwood, J. Wang, J. Thomas, and N. Peyghambarian  »View Author Affiliations


Applied Optics, Vol. 50, Issue 30, pp. 5788-5790 (2011)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.50.005788


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Abstract

We have examined pure nematic liquid crystal (LC), 4′-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5-CB), with a 90 ° twisted alignment within a cell made of two cross-polarized absorptive plastic polarizers, and investigated the nonlinear transmission properties using cw ( 532   nm ) lasers. We observed optically self-activated polarization switching with a factor of three lower switching power than a dye-doped LC cell with similar linear transmittance using glass substrates. We also studied the dynamics of the switching processes and observed millisecond switching time. These studies have demonstrated a simpler but more efficient way for fabricating broadband, low switching power, millisecond time scale switching, and optical limiting devices.

© 2011 Optical Society of America

OCIS Codes
(160.3710) Materials : Liquid crystals
(160.4330) Materials : Nonlinear optical materials
(190.5940) Nonlinear optics : Self-action effects
(130.4815) Integrated optics : Optical switching devices

ToC Category:
Materials

History
Original Manuscript: May 23, 2011
Revised Manuscript: July 5, 2011
Manuscript Accepted: July 5, 2011
Published: October 12, 2011

Citation
C. Sheng, Q. Chen, R. A. Norwood, J. Wang, J. Thomas, and N. Peyghambarian, "Simple way for achieving passive all-optical switching of continuous waves lasers using pure nematic liquid crystal," Appl. Opt. 50, 5788-5790 (2011)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-50-30-5788

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