Acoustic realignment of nematic liquid crystals.
In a nematic liquid-crystal cell, the molecules can be realigned by an ultrasonic wave, leading to a change in the optical transmission through the cell. We present a model for this acousto-optic effect, and show that the magnitude of this effect is controlled by a director-density coupling. We then measure the optical transmission as a function of acoustic intensity for three liquid-crystal materials, and confirm that the data fit the functional form of the theoretical prediction. This fit gives the value of the director-density coupling, which varies greatly from material to material.
Selinger
J V
JV
Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6900, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
Spector
M S
MS
Greanya
V A
VA
Weslowski
B T
BT
Shenoy
D K
DK
Shashidhar
R
R