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We demonstrate the electro-optic control of self-confined beams via frequency modulation in dual-frequency nematic liquid crystals. Proper design of comb electrodes in a planar cell allows the maximization of the overall steering angle when only walk-off variations are used. A span angle as large as two times the maximum walk-off angle is achieved.

We discuss, both theoretically and numerically, the propagation of self-confined beams in uniaxial nematic liquid crystals. Our model accounts for optical anisotropy and goes beyond the perturbative regime, that is, it allows addressing the unique properties of nematicons, including their tunable nonlinearity, high nonlocality, and ability to spatial self-steer.

We investigate light self-confinement in nematic liquid crystals with homogeneous planar distribution of the molecular director. Using comb-patterned electrodes we are able to vary the initial orientation, exploiting different degrees of nonlinearity by the electro-optic effect. We experimentally demonstrate tuning of the nonlinearity by studying both single nematicon propagation and planar interactions between two nematicons.

We analyze a novel geometry expressly designed to maximize the bias-controlled deflection of self-confined light beams in nematic liquid crystals (NLC). We use a self-confined beam and a dielectric interface defined by external voltages, ranging from total internal reflection (TIR) to refraction depending on the applied bias. The optimization of the deflection angle is achieved by using comb electrodes in a planar cell employing planarly oriented NLC molecules. We predict a maximum deflection of 70° with the standard mixture E7.

We report on nematicon self-steering in two settings: pure nematic liquid crystals, where the steering stems directly from optical reorientation, and dye-doped liquid crystals, where strong confinement owing to a guest-host interaction allows the appearance of a transverse force acting on the beam.