Visualization of light beams in liquid crystal layers for demonstration of basic optical phenomena.

摘要

We propose to use a liquid crystal cell as a new teaching tool for a study of basic optical phenomena like refraction and reflection of light. Such possibility is based on previously obtained experimental results [1,2] concerning propagation of light beams in the plane of a liquid crystal layer. In particular, the electrically controlled refraction and reflection of light at crossing the boundary separating regions of different orientations was registered. The scattering of light induced by thermal fluctuations of a director was used to visualize light beams. It opens new way for demonstration of optical phenomena for teaching at schools and universities.