All-optical switching of continuous wave, microsecond lasers with a dye-doped nematic liquid crystal

The authors present a theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration of optically self-activated polarization switching process in a 90 degrees twist alignment dye-doped nematic liquid crystal. The underlying mechanisms are laser induced dye-assisted director axis reorientation and order parameter modifications. Experimental observations are in good agreement with the theoretical expectations derived from a modified Jones matrix calculation, and demonstrate the feasibility of designing efficient low threshold polarization and fast switching and optical limiting devices for cw and microsecond lasers. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.