ELECTROOPTIC AND NONLINEAR OPTICAL-DEVICES USING LIQUID-CRYSTALS

Abstract

This work describes studies carried out across the visible on electro-optic and nonlinear optical devices incorporating a range of liquid crystal materials. Results are presented on electro-optically tunable filters in Fabry Perot and variable birefringence filter (VBF) geometries. Optical bistability in a Fabry Perot etalon with metal mirrors is demonstrated and a novel device which brings together the EO and nonlinear effects to produce bistability of the optical output with applied voltage is described.</p