Light Self-Confinement in Planar Cells with Nematic Liquid Crystals

M. Peccianti, G. Assanto, A. De Luca, C. Umeton, M.A. Karpierz, and I.C. Khoo

J. Commun. Technol. Electron. 47, 790-795 (2002)

Abstract:

Three-dimensional spatial solitons are generated by a linearly-polarized Argon-ion beam in thick planar cells containing prealigned undoped nematic liquid crystals and subject to an externally applied voltage. Self-confinement of the intense beam and guidance of a weak He-Ne probe at a different wavelength but identical polarization are demonstrated with milliwatt powers and over millimeter distances.