Liquid-crystal micro-photonics. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muševič, Igor
• Is Part Of: Liquid crystals reviews. Volume 4:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 34
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Photonic circuits -- liquid crystals -- microlasers -- microfibers -- optical Kerr effect -- STED -- colloids; Liquid crystals -- Periodicals; Liquid crystals; Periodicals; 530.429
• DOI: 10.1080/21680396.2016.1157768
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2168-0396

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This review presents the main results that were achieved over the past decade in the new field of liquid-crystal micro-photonics. After a general introduction to some aspects of state-of-the-art micro-photonics technologies, nematic colloids are discussed in terms of their self-assembly and photonic properties. Liquid-crystal lasers, based on spatially periodic, liquid-crystal phases, are reviewed, and microlasers based on liquid-crystal microdroplets are presented and discussed. We show that optical microfibres can be self-grown in water/liquid-crystal dispersions and present their waveguiding and lasing properties. The review concludes with a discussion of the resonant transfer of light across different liquid-crystal micro-objects and presents the ultra-fast optical Kerr and STED effects in bulk nematic liquid crystals.