Electro-optic switching of dielectrically negative nematic through nanosecond electric modification of order parameter (NEMOP)

Abstract

We present experimental studies of nanosecond electric modification of the order parameter (NEMOP) in a variety of nematic materials with negative dielectric anisotropy. The study demonstrates that NEMOP enables a large amplitude of fast (nanoseconds) electro-optic response with the field-induced birefringence on the order of 0.01 and a figure of merit (FoM) on the order of $10^4$ $\mu $m$^2/$s; the latter is orders of magnitude higher than the FoM of the Frederiks effect traditionally used in electro-optic nematic devices. The amplitude of the NEMOP response is generally stronger in nematics with larger dielectric anisotropy and with higher natural (field-free) birefringence.