title: Simulations of a liquid-crystal-based   electro-optical switch.
abstract: We present simulations of a novel liquid-crystal-based electro-optical device that enables a switching effect owing to a backreflection phenomenon. In the simulations, we exploit the optical properties of a liquid-crystal layer with a Freédericksz alignment in an unconventional way. The resulting switching effect of the proposed optical design can be controlled by means of an external electric field. Possible applications of the liquid-crystal device can be found in, but are not restricted to, optical communication systems and lighting applications.
authors.affiliation: Philips Research Europe, High Tech Campus 34, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Maarten.Sluijter@philips.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sluijter
authors.forename: D K G
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Urbach