Title :
All-optical switching of infrared optical radiation using isotropic liquid crystal
Author :
LoPresti, P.G. ; Zhou, P. ; Linquist, R.G. ; Khoo, I.C.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA, USA
fDate :
4/1/1995 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Experimental results of the transmission to total-internal reflection switching of a step-on CO2 laser beam by a dielectric-clad, isotropic liquid crystal film is presented. The use of the isotropic phase allows for polarization independence of the processes, while maintaining a moderate thermal nonlinearity. Dependence of switching speed on incident angle and energy density is evaluated. Experimental observations of the nonlinear switching effect with microsecond CO2 laser pulses are also presented
Keywords :
high-speed optical techniques; laser beams; light polarisation; light reflection; liquid crystal devices; nonlinear optics; optical films; optical switches; CO2; all-optical switching; dielectric-clad; energy density; incident angle; infrared optical radiation; isotropic liquid crystal; isotropic phase; microsecond CO2 laser pulses; nonlinear switching effect; polarization independence; step-on CO2 laser beam; switching speed; thermal nonlinearity; total-internal reflection switching; Dielectric liquids; Laser beams; Laser modes; Laser theory; Liquid crystals; Nonlinear optics; Optical films; Optical refraction; Optical surface waves; Optical variables control;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
