Abstract

We describe an infrared interferometric technique based on a two-dimensional spatial fringe analysis Fourier method for investigating the characteristic ring diffraction pattern generated by the self-phase-modulation effect induced in nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) by an infrared laser beam and for measuring the nonlinear refractive index of the NLCs. The experimental setup employs a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a cw CO₂ laser emitting at 10.6 µm and a pyroelectric optoelectronic sensor matrix to detect the modulated ring-pattern intensity distribution formed in the far field by a nematic E7 sample. A Fourier-transform-based analysis of the interference fringe pattern allows comparison of the measurements with the theoretical ring-pattern intensity distribution. We show that accurate determination of the nonlinear refractive index can be obtained by analyzing the two-dimensional phase distribution of the modulated ring pattern.

© 2003 Optical Society of America

Reorientational optical nonlinearity of nematic liquid-crystal cells near the nematic isotropic phase transition temperature

Ming-Shan Tsai, I-Min Jiang, Chi-Yen Huang, and Chia-Chi Shih
Opt. Lett. 28(23) 2357-2359 (2003)

Measurement of birefringence of nematic liquid crystal material by multiple-wavelength interferometry using nearly common-path single-stage Mach–Zehnder interferometer

M. Inam, V. Srivastava, and D. S. Mehta
Appl. Opt. 52(33) 8067-8072 (2013)

Thermally induced nonlinear optical effects in an isotropic liquid crystal at 10.6 µm

Stefano Brugioni and Riccardo Meucci
Appl. Opt. 41(36) 7627-7630 (2002)

Interplay of reorientational and thermal solitons: unveiling the dynamic coexistence and enhanced nonlinear response in nematic liquid crystals

Michał Kwaśny, Iga Ostromęcka, Bartłomiej W. Klus, and Urszula A. Laudyn
Opt. Mater. Express 13(7) 2071-2082 (2023)

Three-dimensional profilometry of microlenses by phase shifting interferometery using nematic liquid crystal material filled cell as a phase modulator

M. Inam, V. Srivastava, and D. S. Mehta
Appl. Opt. 54(5) 1085-1089 (2015)