Abstract
A new molecular reorientation effect in nematic liquid crystals is investigated. The nonlinear optical effect occurs under the combined application of DC-electrical fields and low power illumination and has a very huge photosensitivity. Rather large nonlinear optical coefficients up to 6 cm<SUP>2</SUP>/W are obtained. Light intensities as low as 10<SUP>-3</SUP> W/cm<SUP>2</SUP> are sufficient for a strong photo-induced reorientation. Even a microscope lamp or a small torch provides enough illumination to induce remarkable changes in birefringence. The effect was first observed in liquid crystals of discotic molecules but is also present with calamatic, i.e. rod-like molecules.
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