Temperature Effects on Liquid Crystal Nonlinearity

Abstract

The effect of temperature variation on nonlinear refractive indices of several types of liquid crystal (LC) compounds has been reported. Five samples have been investigated: two pure components (E7, MLC 6241-000) and three mixtures are obtained by mixing the previous two in different proportions. Birefringence, the average refractive index and the temperature gradients of refractive indices of the LCs are determined. The variations in refractive indices and birefringence were fitted theoretically using the modified Vuks equation. Excellent agreement is obtained between the fitted values and experimental data. Finally, the bistability of nonlinear refractive indices with temperature of liquid crystal (LC) compounds has been studied. The bistability of liquid crystals based on temperature is clearly observed for all samples. Also, the extraordinary refractive index has larger bistability than the ordinary refractive index. The measurements are performed at 1550 nm wavelength using wedged cell refractometer method.