1. Dynamics of the acousto‐optic effect in a nematic liquid crystal.
- Author
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Greanya, V. A., Malanoski, A. P., Weslowski, B. T., Spector, M. S., and Selinger, J. V.
- Subjects
LIQUID crystals ,DYNAMICS ,ANALYTICAL mechanics ,ULTRASONIC waves ,SOUND waves ,ULTRASONICS - Abstract
In a nematic liquid crystal cell, the application of an ultrasonic wave induces a rotation of the director, leading to a change in the optical transmission through the cell. In this study, we investigate the dynamic response of the optical intensity after the ultrasonic wave is switched on or off. Our experiments show that the optical intensity follows a double‐exponential function of time, indicating that the system has two relaxation modes with widely different time scales. The fast mode has an amplitude and time scale qualitatively consistent with the dynamics of the Fréedericksz transition, but the slow mode shows novel behaviour associated with the acousto‐optic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
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