Abstract
In the Janossy effect, the threshold intensity for the optical Freedericksz transition in nematic liquid crystals is dramatically reduced by the addition of a small amount of dichroic dye to the sample. We examine the source of torques in the system and the balance of angular momentum. We show that, due to the presence of the dye, the system is an optically pumped orientational ratchet.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 193-206 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology Section A: Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals |
Volume | 320 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1998 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics
Keywords
- Angular momentum balance
- Brownian motor
- Dye
- Janossy effect
- Liquid crystals
- Nonlinear optics
- Orientational ratchet