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Title: Angular-scattering characteristics of ferroelectric liquid-crystal electro-optical devices operating in the transient-scattering and the extended-scattering modes

Journal Article · · Applied Optics
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623-1212 (United States)

The angular distribution of forward-scattered light in transient-scattering-mode (TSM) and extended-scattering-mode (ESM) ferroelectric liquid-crystal (FLC) devices was evaluated by use of circularly polarized incident light. For both modes the intensity and the distribution of forward-scattered light depended primarily on the FLC birefringence, spontaneous polarization, and the cell path length. In the FLC materials examined, the forward-scattering intensity under ESM drive conditions increased with longer FLC pitch lengths, whereas under TSM conditions stronger forward scattering was observed with increasing FLC spontaneous polarization. Although both TSM and ESM drive conditions displayed a similar angular distribution for forward-scattered light, the intensity of ESM scattering over a 0{degree}{endash}6{degree} range was considerably smaller than that observed in earlier experiments with linearly polarized incident light. {copyright} 1999 Optical Society of America

Research Organization:
Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FC03-92SF19460
OSTI ID:
337494
Journal Information:
Applied Optics, Vol. 38, Issue 8; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English