Abstract
We demonstrate the feasibility of an all-optical liquid-crystal (LC) switch with submillisecond switching time. This switch is realized by optical manipulation of a three-dimensionally trapped microscopic nematic LC droplet using an "optical tweezers." Transmission of a polarizer/LC droplet/analyzer system can be modulated at frequencies as high as 103 Hz, a faster response than that of a nematic LC demonstrated so far. The response corresponds to a submillisecond switching time when the LC droplet is rotated by an angle of π/4. The alignment of the LC droplet to the plane of the incident plane-poiarized beam is also demonstrated.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3627-3629 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
| Volume | 74 |
| Issue number | 24 |
| Publication status | Published - 1999 Jun 14 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
Cite this
Juodkazis, S., Shikata, M., Takahashi, T., Matsuo, S., & Misawa, H. (1999). Fast optical switching by a laser-manipulated microdroplet of liquid crystal. Applied Physics Letters, 74(24), 3627-3629.