Discrete propagation and spatial solitons in nematic liquid crystals

A.Fratalocchi, G. Assanto, K. A. Brzdakiewicz, and M. A. Karpierz

Opt. Lett. 29, 1530 (2004)

Abstract:

We investigate, for the first time to our knowledge, the discrete propagation of near-infrared light in a voltage- controlled array of channel waveguides in undoped nematic liquid crystals under planar anchoring conditions. This novel geometry enables us to drive the system from one-dimensional bulk diffraction to discrete propagation and, for larger excitations, to discrete spatial solitons, or nematicons. The observed phenomena are adequately described by a scalar model that encompasses the voltage-dependent reorientational response of the material.