title: Finite-difference time-domain analysis of cholesteric blue phase II using the Landau-de Gennes tensor order parameter model.
abstract: We numerically calculated the photonic band structure of a cholesteric blue phase II (BPII) liquid crystal using two models, the tensor order parameter model and the double-twist cylinder (DTC) model. The tensor order parameter model was derived numerically from the Landau-de Gennes theory, whereas the DTC model simply assumed a three-dimensional stack of ordered cylinders. The two models yielded similar photonic band structures; however, the polarization dependence of the transmission spectrum through the (100) direction in BPII was different. The results from the tensor order parameter model gave a better qualitative agreement with experiments on the transmission spectrum. This demonstrates the importance of a precise orientation model in the analysis of the optical properties of cholesteric blue phases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Jun-ichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozaki