Thermo- and electro-optical properties of photonic liquid crystal fibers doped with gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Thermo- and electro-optical properties of a photonic liquid crystal fiber (PLCF) enhanced by the use of dopants have been investigated. A 6CHBT nematic liquid crystal was doped with four different concentrations of gold nanoparticles (NPs), 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 wt %, for direct comparison of the influence of the dopant on the properties of the PLCF. The thermo-optical effects of the liquid crystal doped with gold NPs were compared in three setups, an LC cell, a microcapillary and within the PLCF, to determine if the observed responses to external factors are caused by the properties of the infiltration material or due to the setup configuration. The results obtained indicated that with increasing NP doping a significant reduction of the rise time under an external electric field occurs with a simultaneous decrease in the nematic–isotropic phase transition temperature, thus improving the thermo- and electro-optical properties of the PLCF.

Effect of ion trapping behavior of TiO2 nanoparticles on different parameters of weakly polar nematic liquid crystal

“…Two basic approaches have been adopted in order to modify these properties. One is to synthesize the new LC material according to required parameters and the other one is to alter the basic properties of LC materials by doping it with different nanomaterials like dye [9,10], metallic NP [11,12], semiconducting NP [13,14], carbon nanotube [15] and some others [16][17][18]. Doping nanomaterials in the LCs to optimize the properties is potentially cost-effective, non-complicated and do not require great deal of efforts in comparison with synthesizing new one.…”

Research on Optical Properties of Tapered Optical Fibers with Liquid Crystal Cladding Doped with Gold Nanoparticles

“…According to the literature, in some cases, the light can be propagated in the core with a lower refractive index than the effective cladding refractive index [23,25]. Basing on the results from [27], the authors decided to mix pure LCs with 0.1 wt% AuNPs. Preparation of nanoparticle (NP)-doped LCs has been carried out in the same manner as described in detail elsewhere [28].…”

“…Thus, attenuation after the finished tapering process can be easily calculated. Basing on the results from [27], the authors decided to mix pure LCs with 0.1 wt% AuNPs. Preparation of nanoparticle (NP)-doped LCs has been carried out in the same manner as described in detail elsewhere [28].…”

Photonic Liquid Crystal Fibers – 15 years of research activities at Warsaw University of Technology

“…There was a noticeable shift toward shorter wavelengths. Next, we investigated thermal and electrooptical properties of 4 nm gold (Au) NP doped PLCFs [46], see Fig. 3.…”