Optical nonlinearity in a nematic liquid crystal using surface plasmon-polaritons

Plasmonic all-optical bistable device based on nematic liquid crystal

“…Some papers have appeared on the optical bistability in nematic or cholesteric LCs, operating at low illumination. These studies used a Fabri-Perot cavity [11], the selective reflection in chiral LCs [12], a crossed polarizer configuration [13], or surface plasmons (SPs) in the attenuated total reflection (ATR) configuration [14,15]. The phase transition from the LC phase to the isotropic phase or changes in the helical pitch of chiral nematic LCs, due to irradiation, gives rise to a large change in the local refractive index.…”

Performance characteristics and permittivity modeling of a surface plasmon resonance sensor for metal surface monitoring in a synthetic maritime environment

“…SPR curves were taken with air, water or saline for theory vs. data. Cells show good stability over time, as with previous liquid crystal cells [13]. A Vernier Salinity Standard Sodium Chloride Solution, nominally 35 parts per thousand, was added by syringe (0.8 ml) and sealed, halting cell evaporation.…”

Optics of Metallic Nanostructures

“…This was first shown with smooth metal films in the Kretschmann geometry using LC phase transformations under the influence of light-induced thermal effects. In this configuration, both intensity switching of the reflected light and bistability of the incident light intensity were observed [89]. The latter was explained by a positive feedback due to the intensity-dependent refractive index of the LC placed on the metal film and illuminated by the evanescent field of the SPP wave.…”

“…Nonlinear optical effects required for this purpose can be achieved by applying the mechanisms of slow molecular motion (ms timescales), such as LCs or ultra-fast electronic nonlinearities (up to fs timescales) [17,89]. All-optical devices based on various types of optical nonlinearities have been considered in the past.…”