Observation of Beam Self-Induced Transition from Positive to Negative Optical Refraction in Nematic Liquid Crystals

We demonstrate that light refraction at a straight interface between an isotropic dielectric and a nematic liquid crystal can change from positive to negative depending on power. The phenomenon relies on the reorientational response and the all-optical rotation of the optic axis, causing in turn variations in walk-off and beam self-steering.