Cholesteric liquid crystals with tunable defect inside

Abstract

Peculiarities of the defect modes of cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) with an isotropic/anisotropic defect inside are investigated. The influence of the defect layer thickness and its anisotropy of refraction, the influence of the system thickness and of the defect layer position in the system, as well as the influence of the dielectric borders on the defect modes is investigated. It is shown that it is possible to change reflection at the defect modes in wide intervals and change the defect mode wavelength, by tuning the defect location and its thickness. Such a system possesses transmission asymmetry. Also, the CLC system thickness and the refraction coefficient of the medium bordering the CLC layer on its both sides have essential influence on the reflection at the defect mode and on the reflection frequency.