Birefringent Phase Research Articles

Mesomorphic behaviour in bent‐shaped molecules with side wings at different positions of a central naphthalene core

Six bent‐shaped molecules were prepared with central bent cores based on 2,7‐, 1,7‐, 1,6‐, 1,3‐, 1,2‐ and 2,3‐dihydroxynaphthalene groups with side wings containing a Schiff's base moiety and dodecyloxy tail, N(2,7), N(1,7), N(1,6), N(1,3), N(1,2) and N(2,3). All of the compounds form fluid smectic mesophases and their mesomorphic behaviour and properties are discussed in terms of their molecular structure. The compounds are categorized into two groups; in one of them, N(2,7), N(1,6) and N(1,3), the bent cores have a bent angle of 120° between the side wings, whereas in the other, N(1,7), N(1,2) and N(2,3), the bent angle is 60°. The typical banana molecule, N(2,7), in the first group, forms a chiral blue phase that shows two distinguishable domains with opposite optical rotations and circular dichroism. Under an electric field, the chiral blue phase is transformed to strongly birefringent B2 phase which possesses a basically homochiral SmCAPA structure. N(1,3) also forms a chiral blue phase, but, in contrast, N(1,6), where the side wings are asymmetrically substituted, forms a typical antiferroelectric B2 phase with the racemic SmCSPA structure. N(1,2) and N(2,3) of the other group assume a U‐like shape to form a conventional SmA phase. Of interest is the fact that N(1,7) forms a chiral blue phase irrespective of having a small bent angle of 60°. This indicates that the distance between side wings as well as the bent angle plays an important role for the formation of banana‐shaped smectic phases.

Photonic Crystal Fiber: Finding the Holey Grail

Photonic crystal fiber (PCF) permits much wider adjustment of key characteristics such as modal phase index, dispersion, nonlinearity and birefringence than is possible in conventional fiber, opening the door to new applications in telecommunications and beyond. PCF can be used to maintain light in a tight focus over kilometer distances inside a hollow core, for example, to laser-guide small particles, molecules or atoms along a curved path, and to fashion a whole range of in-fiber devices and low-loss transitions.

Chirality Transfer between Weakly Birefringent and Electric-Field-Induced Highly Birefringent B2 Phases in a Bent-Core Mesogen

Electric-field-induced transition was observed for the weakly birefringent chiral B2 phase, which is formed from the banana molecule based on the naphthalene bent core. This phase is considered to possess the twisted grain boundary (TGB)-like helical structure. When an electric field is applied, the TGB-like helix unwinds. The resulting large domain of the SmC(A)P(A) phase shows the high birefringence and simultaneously the antiferroelectric switching between SmC(A)P(A) and SmC(S)P(F) states. Through this field-induced transformation, two interesting features are obtained. First, the initially formed chiral domains are preserved even after the field-induced transformation to the unwound SmC(A)P(A) phase. This indicates the close correlation between the TGB-like helix and the layer chirality in such a way that the helical sense of the TGB-like helix is memorized as the layer chirality of the homochiral SmC(A)P(A) phase. Second, there is a critical temperature, above which the helicoidal structure is stable against the electric field. There is a competition between winding into a TGB-like structure and unwinding due to the electric field, and at higher temperatures, the helicoidal power is too strong to surpass the effect of the electric field.

Trans–cis isomerization of an azoxybenzene liquid crystal

Trans–cis isomerization was investigated in a room temperature liquid crystal mixture of two azoxybenzene compounds. Experiments were performed on isolated molecules in dilute solutions and on the liquid crystal phase composed of the pure compounds. The absorption spectra of the trans and cis isomers were found to be similar to those of azobenzene compounds, as were the birefringence and order parameter of the nematic liquid crystal phase. The photo‐optic properties were also similar in that irradiation by ultraviolet light caused the conversion from trans to cis isomers, while short wavelength visible light incident on these compounds resulted in the conversion from cis to trans isomers. The activation energy for thermal relaxation from the cis to trans isomer in the liquid crystal phase was determined to be (66±7) kJ/mole, which is less than for azobenzene in solution. While a photostationary state in a dilute solution with approximately equal numbers of trans and cis isomers was achieved, the nematic–isotropic transition of the mixture of the pure compounds decreased from 70°C to room temperature with a cis concentration of only about 12%. One unusual finding was that the photostationary concentration of trans and cis isomers due to irradiation with light of a specific visible wavelength depended on the starting concentrations of the two isomers, indicating that there may be a molecular conformation that is not photo‐responsive and relaxes only thermally.

Cooperative Ordering of Collagen Triple Helices in the Dense State

Extracellular matrixes such as bone, skin, cornea, and tendon have ordered structures comprised for the most part of collagen, an elongated protein of well-defined dimensions and composition. Here we show how the cooperative ordering of collagen triple helices in the dense fluid state is exploited to produce dense ordered collagen matrixes. The spontaneous formation of a birefringent phase occurs at critical concentrations that increase from 50-60 to 80-85 mg/mL as the acetic acid concentration of the solvent increases from 5 to 500 mM. We studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) the local liquidlike positional order across the isotropic/anisotropic phase transition by unwinding the cholesteric phase with moderate shearing stress. Interparticle scattering gives rise to a broad interference peak. The average distance between triple helices, dav, is thus estimated and decreases linearly as a function of phi-1/2 from 12.7 +/- 0.9 nm (22.5 mg/mL) to 5.0 +/- 0.6 nm (166.4 mg/mL). Equilibrium concentrations and the order parameter of the nematic phase agree reasonably well with theoretical predictions for semiflexible macromolecules. Striated fibrils with a high degree of alignment were obtained by fine-tuning the delicately balanced electrostatic interactions, which yielded strong elastic gels with a hierarchical organization very similar to that of major biological tissues. Typical Bragg reflections corresponding to the 67 nm period characteristic of collagen fibrils in biological tissues were recorded by SAXS with ordered collagen matrixes reconstituted in vitro.

Birefringence determination in turbid media

We study the influence of birefringence on incoherent polarized light transport in turbid media. In particular, Mueller matrices backscattered by a diffusing medium are modified by the birefringence of the suspending phase. We study this effect both theoretically, through Monte Carlo simulations, and experimentally with a highly birefringent xanthane solution in which particles are added at various concentrations to modify its turbidity. Comparisons between experiments on flow-induced birefringence of the xanthane solution with or without particles are in good agreement and show the capability of measuring birefringence in turbid media through analysis of Mueller matrices.

Red and near infrared polarized light emissions from polyfluorene copolymer based light emitting diodes

The authors report polarized red, electroluminescence peak at 705nm and near infrared, electroluminescence peak at 950nm, light emission from light emitting diodes based on two polyfluorene copolymers. The copolymers are synthesized from a fluorene monomer combined with donor-acceptor-donor comonomers and designed to have a low band gap and form birefringent liquid crystalline phases. Emission occurs from aligned thin films of polymer layers. The emissive layers are aligned by spin coating on a layer of rubbed conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulphonate) and thermally converted into glassy nematic liquid crystalline state.

Control of modulation and soliton polarization instabilities in photonic crystal fibers with birefringence management

Photonic crystal fibers with composite linear birefringence, that is induced by both microstructure geometry and stress applying parts, permit the management of the wavelength dependence of both group and phase birefringence. In this work we investigate the novel nonlinear propagation phenomena that are enabled by birefringence management. Vector modulation instability is enhanced near the zero phase birefringence wavelength. Soliton polarization instability is controlled by Raman self-frequency shifting across the zero phase birefringence wavelength.

Polarization dispersion in microstructure fibers with side channels

Polarization dispersion characteristics of microstructure optical fibers were analyzed. A significant difference between the spectral dependences of the phase and group birefringence of microstructure fibers and the polarization characteristics of a standard fiber having birefringence of the same order of magnitude is found. A new method for direct measurement of the phase birefringence is proposed and tested. The applicability of the technique for determining the phase birefringence with the use of the approximation known in the literature is analyzed.

The influence of shape and size of silyl units on the properties of bent-core liquid crystals—from dimers via oligomers and dendrimers to polymers

A series of oligomeric and dendritic liquid crystalline materials combining mesogenic bent-core units and silicon-containing linking units (siloxanes and carbosilanes) was synthesized and investigated. The influence of the size and shape of the silyl units upon the mesophase type and the switching behaviour was investigated. Linear oligosiloxane based dimers and dendritic carbosilanes show ferroelectric and non-classical antiferroelectric switching monolayer smectic phases with dark conglomerate textures coexisting with achiral domains, whereas cyclic oligosiloxane and silsesquioxane derivatives have antiferroelectric switching and birefringent smectic phases with double layer structure. It is concluded that ferroelectricity and layer distortion require a certain size of the silyl groups and a monolayer structure where each layer is decoupled by sublayers formed by the silylated units.

Nonlinear refractive index measurements of discotic and calamitic nematic lyotropic phases

In this work, through the Z-scan technique, we report on measurements of the nonlinear refractive index (n{2}) in discotic and calamitic nematic phases at room temperature in lyotropic mixtures of potassium laurate, decanol and D(2)O . This technique presents high sensitivity when compared to conventional interferometry. The nonlinear optical birefringence (Deltan{2}) of these nematic phases was also determined. The sign and absolute value of this relevant nonlinear parameter are discussed in terms of structural changes in the micellar configuration which takes place in each nematic lyotropic phase.

Higher order structural analysis of stereocomplex‐type poly(lactic acid) melt‐spun fibers

AbstractThe higher order structure of stereocomplex‐type poly(lactic acid) melt‐spun fibers of an equimolar blend of poly(L‐lactic acid) and poly(D‐lactic acid) was analyzed with wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and birefringence measurements. Two different crystalline structures were observed in the fibers: α‐form homocrystals and stereocomplex crystals. The weight fractions of the two crystals were estimated with the WAXD integrated intensity data. The crystalline orientation factors were obtained from the WAXD measurements. Well‐oriented homocrystals formed during a drawing process at the crystallization temperature of the homocrystal. Drawing above this temperature caused the stereocomplex crystal to be formed. The crystalline orientation tended to be lower with increasing drawing temperatures. Through the combination of the intrinsic birefringence and the fractions of the α‐form homocrystals and stereocomplex crystals, the birefringence of the amorphous phase was evaluated. The amorphous birefringence stayed positive and decreased with increasing drawing temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 218–228, 2007

Berry's phase amplification by a ring resonator

It is shown that, similar to resonant enhancement of linear phase, birefringent phase, and chirality/optical activity by a ring resonator (RR), Berry's phase, or the geometrical phase, can be amplified by repeatedly passing light through a Berry's phase-generating element placed in a RR. Small-signal amplification of Berry's phase is equal to the resonator finesse F. This amplification can be exploited when Berry's phase is used for performing quantum computation or in fiber-optic and other sensors.

Accurate Retardance and Birefringence Measurements of Mica Plates

In recent works, it was shown that the retardances δ1, and δ2 of two birefringent phase plates C1 and C2 could be measured simultaneously at any wavelength by a single adjustment of the optical system. If the two plates are identical (δ1=δ2=δ), the calibration process becomes more simple, quick, accurate and the expressions for evaluating δ are quite simple. Two mica plates of the same thickness d = (29.5±0.2) µm cleaved from the same crystal were calibrated in the spectral range 430–710 nm. In order to eliminate the alignment errors in the optical elements, four different arrangements of the system were employed. Results for retardance and birefringence values in the studies spectral range are presented.

Efficient frequency doubling in femtosecond laser-written waveguides in lithium niobate

Optical waveguides in lithium niobate have been fabricated with a femtosecond laser. Different types of modifications depending on the laser parameters were observed and discussed. In these waveguides, frequency doubling of 1064nm radiation was demonstrated utilizing birefringent phase matching. A conversion efficiency of 49% was obtained in a 9.3mm long sample.

Phase and group modal birefringence of an index-guiding photonic crystal fibre with helical air holes

In this paper, we propose a novel photonic crystal fibre (PCF) with high phase birefringence and very low group birefringence. It is composed of a solid silica core and a cladding with helix-pattern air holes. Using a full-vector finite-element method, we study the phase and group modal birefringence of such PCF at various air-hole sizes, pitches and wavelengths. Owing to this innovative structure of air holes, a high phase to group modal birefringence rate is obtained. Its phase modal birefringence is as large as 10 −4 magnitude; however, the group modal birefringence of this PCF is at 10 −7–10 −6. The phase birefringence is 2 orders of magnitude larger than group birefringence over a broad wavelength span, which means that the light with different polarization and effective index has almost a same group velocity. As a result, the group modal birefringence that closely relates to the polarization modal dispersion is negligible.

Polarization modulation instability in photonic crystal fibers

Polarization modulation instability (PMI) in birefringent photonic crystal fibers has been observed in the normal dispersion regime with a frequency shift of 64 THz between the generated frequencies and the pump frequency. The generated sidebands are orthogonally polarized to the pump. From the observed PMI frequency shift and the measured dispersion, we determined the phase birefringence to be 5.3 x 10(-5) at a pump wavelength of 647.1 nm. This birefringence was used to estimate the PMI gain as a function of pump wavelength. Four-wave mixing experiments in both the normal and the anomalous dispersion regimes generated PMI frequency shifts that show good agreement with the predicted values over a 70 THz range. These results could lead to amplifiers and oscillators based on PMI.

Switching off polarization modulation instabilities in photonic crystal fibers

By considering the full frequency-dependent dispersion and birefringence properties of a photonic crystal fiber, we found that fourth-order dispersion has a striking influence on the spectrum of modulation polarization instabilities with either group or phase birefringence phase matching. The lower threshold is frustrated and an upper threshold is created for linear birefringence values that lead to parametric gain.

Investigation of multiconversion processes in periodically poled LiNbO_3-based optical parametric oscillators

The multiconversion processes in optical parametric oscillators based on periodically poled LiNbO3 are investigated. Interpretations based on simultaneous quasi- and birefringent phase matching are presented. Three parametric and three harmonic generation processes in a multigrating periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal were observed. Two of the parametric processes and two of the harmonics were quasi-phase matched, and the other conversion processes were phase matched through birefringence in the crystal. The primary parametric process (omegap --> omegas + omegai) was obtained through first-order quasi-phase matching. The other quasi-phase-matched processes occurred within higher orders. The existence of even-order quasi-phase matching in the crystal is due to other than a 50% duty-cycle grating periods. The tuning range for each of the generated waves is obtained and compared with theoretical fittings.

Phase and group modal birefringence of triple-defect photonic crystal fibres

We discuss the phase and group modal birefringence in photonic crystal fibres (PCFs) with an elongated core. Owing to large form birefringence, these two types of birefringence in such PCFs may not only have opposite signs, but their absolute value can also differ by several orders of magnitude. We also show that PCFs offer the unique possibility of having a large phase birefringence and a negligible polarization mode dispersion at the same time. Using a fully vectorial mode solver, we show how these parameters can be tailored by a proper choice of the geometry of the PCF. We demonstrate both numerically and experimentally the strong wavelength dependence of phase and group modal birefringence in triple-defect photonic crystal fibres (PCFs).