Extreme Nonlinear Optics With Liquid Crystals

摘要

A multi-prong experimental and theoretical studies of recently discovered extremely nonlinear liquid crystals and novel nonlinear optical processes have been conducted. Specifically, we have successfully carried out the following projects: (1) Synthesis of nonlinear nematic liquid crystals containing highly photosensitive/photoconductive nano-particulates (Gold nano-wires, CdSe nanorods); (2) Synthesis of nonlinear liquids with large two- and multi-photon absorption and excited-state absorption coefficients; (3) Complete characterization of the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the supra-nonlinearities of these liquid crystalline systems (4) Design/fabrication of nonlinear fiber array and tunable 2-and 3-D liquid crystalline photonic crystals, frequency selective surfaces and core-shell nano- spheres dispersed bulk liquid crystalline film (5) Complete quantitative studies of self-action effects such as all-optical switching, optical limiting, nonlinear guided waves using visible as well as infrared lasers. Paralleling these studies, we have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of several unique and high performance holographic, modulation, mixing, limiting, adaptive optics and various self-action or optically activated devices. These devices are operational at low power/intensity levels over a wide spectral and temporal bandwidth, and have opened up new avenues for future research and development possibilities, especially when coupled to nano-structures and nano-metamaterials of unique optical, electro-optical and nonlinear-optical properties.