Orientational ratchets and angular momentum balance in the janossy effect

P. Palffy-Muhoray, E. Weinan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)193-206
Number of pages14
JournalMolecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology Section A: Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
Volume320
DOIs
StatePublished - 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

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