Nonlinear Optical Effects in Nematic Liquid-Crystal Films in the 1.55 µm Spectral Region

Abstract

We have studied the optical nonlinearities of nematic liquid crystals in the near IR communication spectral region [1.55 µm]. The origins of the refractive index changes are thermal indexing effect and director axis reorientations. Very large refractive index and phase modulation of several π's can be generated with mW laser power in micron thick dye-doped nematic liquid crystal films.