High slope efficiency liquid crystal lasers

Mowatt, Carrie; Morris, Stephen M.; Wilkinson, Timothy D.; Coles, H. J.

doi:10.1063/1.3526750

Cited by 22 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The development of birefringent structures and profiles from nematic complex fluids, including structures and field profiles with quasicrystalline symmetries, indicates interesting potential for use in various complex optical and photonic elements, such as lasers, resonators, and waveguides. For example, blue phases and cholesteric LCs have demonstrated the capability to work as high-efficiency, tunable, paintable and white lasers [47][48][49][50]. Alternatively, nematic and chiral nematic structures can also perform as tunable photonic crystals [51,52].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quasicrystalline Ordering in Thin Liquid Crystal Films

2018

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Quasicrystalline ordering was first observed in synthetic multi-component metallic alloys. These solid state materials exhibit quasicrystalline atomic ordering at nanometer length scales. Softmatter systems are another class of versatile materials that can exhibit quasicrystalline ordering across supra-nanometer (>10 nm) to supra-micrometer (>10 µm) length scales as recently observed in materials like-supramolecular dendritic molecules, ABC star polymers, binary nanoparticle systems and block co-polymers in condensed matter systems. The underlying mechanism in most of these soft quasicrystals seems to be the presence of two or more length scales in the system. Another class of development in self-assembled quasicrystals in softmatter is being observed in low molecular weight chiral and achiral nematic liquid crystals. Liquid crystal forms an efficient matrix for selfand directed-assemblies of colloidal structures where surface and geometry-tuning the particles in nematic liquid crystals gives rise to complex inter-particle interactions while the long-range order results in self-assembled structures of higher order rotational symmetries. Furthermore, there has also been attempts to generate colloidal quasicrystalline defect structures by directing the assemblies using multiple and single beam lasing techniques. In the present article, we will review self-and assisted-assembly of quasicrystalline structures in nematic liquid crystals (both chiral and achiral) and discuss the underlying mechanisms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quasicrystalline Ordering in Thin Liquid Crystal Films

2018

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“…We have recently carried out studies on reflective cells which consist of a silicon-backplane that is coated with an aluminum reflective layer. When combined with an optimized liquid crystal mixture, a very high slope efficiency of > 60% was recorded [28]. Figure 9 is a plot of the input-output characteristics for a silicon-backplane device with an optimized liquid crystal laser mixture.…”

Section: Device Architecturementioning

confidence: 98%

High efficiency liquid crystal lasers giving "white light" emission from arrays and flexible substrates

Morris

Coles

2011

SPIE Proceedings

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The self-organization of the helical structure of chiral nematic liquid crystals combined with their sensitivity to electric fields makes them particularly interesting for low-threshold, wavelength tunable laser devices. We have studied these organic lasers in detail, ranging from the influence specific macroscopic properties, such as birefringence and order parameter, have on the output characteristics, to practical systems in the form of two-dimensional arrays, double-pass geometries and paintable lasers. Furthermore, even though chiral nematics are responsive to electric fields there is no facile means by which the helix periodicity can be adjusted, thereby allowing laser wavelength tuning, without adversely affecting the optical quality of the resonator. Therefore, in addition to studying the liquid crystal lasers, we have focused on finding a novel method with which to alter the periodicity of a chiral nematic using electric fields without inducing defects and degrading the optical quality factor of the resonator. This paper presents an overview of our research, describing (i) the correlation between laser output and material properties,(ii) the importance of the gain medium,(iii) multicolor laser arrays, and (iv) high slope efficiency (>60%) silicon back-plane devices. Overall we conclude that these materials have great potential for use in versatile organic laser systems.

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“…Liquid crystal (LC) laser technology [1] enables such simple, compact and affordable tuneable coherent sources to be realized. Recent developments include: high-efficiency (up to 60 %) and low threshold systems [2]; array-based pumping for high-power throughputs [3]; simultaneous polychromatic emissions [4]; and the printing of individually addressable lasers onto arbitrary surfaces [5]. Continued development of low-cost and compact pump sources such as laser diodes or LEDs mean that hand-held devices incorporating tuneable lasers may soon become a reality, with far-reaching applications in areas such as point-of-care optical medical diagnosis.…”

Section: Introduction To Band-edge Liquid Crystal Lasersmentioning

confidence: 99%