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 |
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Pages (from-to) | 3627-3629 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 74 |
Issue number | 24 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1999 Jun 14 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)