Far-Field Patterns from Dye-Doped Planar-Aligned Nematic Liquid Crystals Under nanosecond Laser Irradiation
Conference
·
· Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
High-definition patterns were observed under 10-Hz-pulse-repetition-rate, nanosecond laser irradiation of azodye-doped planar-nematic liquid crystal layers at incident intensities I ~ 5-10 MW/cm^2 in a single beam configuration and without any feedback involved. An incident polarization parallel to the nematic director was used. Under periodic pulsed laser irradiation, far-field beam patterns at the output of a dye-doped liquid crystal layer changed kaleidoscopically from rings and stripes to multiple hexagons. This pattern-formation regime had a buildup time of several seconds to minutes. We explain the observed effect by diffraction of the laser beam on light-induced micrometer-size inhomogeneities inside the liquid crystal layer with absorption and refraction properties different from the surrounding area. Possible mechanisms of the formation of the inhomogeneities are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC52-92SF19460
- OSTI ID:
- 889584
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/SF/19460-690; 1653; 2005-185
- Conference Information:
- Journal Name: Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Journal Volume: 453
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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