Electrically switchable diffractive gratings based on cholesteric liquid crystals are suggested. An electric field switches the cholesteric cell between three states: two with a uniform in-plane director and one with a periodic in-plane director modulation. The modulated state produces a Raman–Nath diffractive effect. Characteristic time of switching is of the order of 10 ms. Diffractive properties depend on the polarization of the incident beam and the direction of surface orientation.
Diffractive gratings with period varied by an electric field are developed using a cholesteric liquid crystal confined between two transparent electrodes with unidirectionally treated alignment layers. In the initial state (zero field), the cholesteric layers are parallel to the cell planes. The electric field creates an in-plane modulated structure of variable period. Diffraction regimes of both Raman-Nath and Bragg types are demonstrated.
We characterized backscattering effects in optical fiber using a photon counting technique and considered its implications for quantum key distribution (QKD). We found that Rayleigh (elastic) backscattering can put strong limitations on a two-way QKD system’s performance. Raman (inelastic) scattering can restrict the ability of wavelength multiplexing of a quantum channel with strong classical data channel(s).
Generation of high pretilt angle and surface anchoring strength in nematic liquid crystal on a rubbed polymer surface J. Appl. Phys. 86, 3594 (1999); 10.1063/1.371264 Effect of high pretilt angle for anchoring strength in nematic liquid crystal on rubbed polyimide surface containing trifluoromethyl moieties
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