Electro-optical Characteristics of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Embedded in Photonic Crystal Fiber

Abstract

The confinement of liquid crystals in a small space induces interesting phenomena that deviate from the bulk properties. We report on the electro-optical properties of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) confined in transparent photonic crystal fibers (PCFs). A PCF has a large number of cylindrical air holes of micrometer size and they are filled with FLCs. Optical measurements indicate that the directors are parallel to the axis of PCF and the layers are inclined relative to the cylindrical wall with the tilt angle of SmC*. The electro-optical response depends on the surface condition and shows the unusual double hysteresis loop. We discuss the possible configuration of director arrangement and the electro-optical properties of FLC on the basis of a simple model. (c) 2013 The Japan Society of Applied Physics