All-optical image processing by means of a photosensitive nonlinear liquid-crystal film: edge enhancement and image addition-subtraction.

We demonstrate two simple yet efficient all-optical image-processing techniques that use nonlinear photosensitive dye-doped nematic liquid-crystal films, namely, edge enhancement and image addition-subtraction operations. These films require no external bias and function at much lower optical powers and shorter response times than other conventional methods.

All-optical image processing with a supranonlinear dye-doped liquid-crystal film.

We demonstrate a dynamic all-optical image-intensity-inversion technique that uses self- and mutual-phase-modulation effects with a highly nonlinear nematic liquid-crystal film placed in an intermediate focal plane. This process requires submilliwatt optical power, responds in a few milliseconds, and can be realized over a very broad spectral range.

Extremely nonlinear photosensitive liquid crystals for image sensing and sensor protection.

Optically induced nematic liquid crystal axis reorientation results in extraordinarily large nonlinear refractive index changes that could find practical applications in conjunction with cw or long-pulse lasers. We discuss the origins of these nonlinearities, and present the results of recent experimental studies of image conversion, optical limiting and sensor protection using aligned dye-doped nematic liquid crystal films in all-optical configurations. These processes are characterized by unprecedented low threshold laser powers, thus presenting nonlinear photosensitive nematic liquid crystals as promising next generation image processing and optical switching/limiting material.

Optically induced space-charge fields, dc voltage, and extraordinarily large nonlinearity in dye-doped nematic liquid crystals.

We have observed extraordinarily large optical nonlinearity in Methyl Red-doped nematic liquid-crystal film. Grating diffraction can be generated with an optical intensity as low as 40 microW/cm(2) , and a refractive-index change coefficient of more than 6 cm(2)/ W is obtained. The effect is attributed to formation of an optically induced dc space-charge field and to the resulting reorientation of the highly birefringent nematic director axis.

Nolinear optical liquid cored fiber array and liquid crystal film fo ps-cw frequency agile laser optical limiting application.

The molecular nonlinear photonic absorption processes of two nonlinear fiber core liquids are discussed in the context of nonlinear propagation and optical limiting of short pulses. These fiber arrays are capable of limiting threshold and clamped output below 1 micro J for picosecond and nanosecond pulses. We also discuss the observation of perhaps the largest optical nonlinearity in some dye-doped nematic liquid crystal films. These films will provide limiting action with a threshold power of 100 nWatt and limited transmission of << 1 microJoule for ms - cw laser.

Coherent beam amplification with a photorefractive liquid crystal.

Coherent amplification of a signal beam by a strong pump beam is observed in thin films of fullerene-doped nematic liquid crystal. Exponential gain constants as high as 2890 cm(-1) with no phase cross talk are achieved at low applied dc bias voltage and pump beam intensity. The underlying mechanism is the electro-optically induced spatially reorientation of the liquid-crystal axis and the resultant phase-shifted index grating required for two-beam coupling.