Formation of dynamic holograms based on spatial modulation of molecular motions of ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract

The formation of dynamic holograms based on the spatial modulation of the molecular motions of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) was demonstrated. The consecutive rotational switching motion of FLC molecules under an alternating electric field was modulated by the photoinduced additional electric field built at the interference fringe. This spatially periodic difference in molecular motions of an FLC was confirmed to work as a diffraction grating. Since the motion-mode hologram is stable and the response is very fast when compared to photorefractive polymers, the motion-mode hologram appears to be promising for various photonic applications.