Light Polarization by Cholesteric Layers

Abstract

A cholesteric liquid crystal layer acts as a Bragg reflector for one circular polarization at normal incidence. At oblique incidence the situation is more complex. We investigated, both numerically and experimentally, the optical behavior of a cholesteric liquid crystal layer by illuminating the layer at normal and oblique incidence. We found good agreement between experimental and theoretical results. Based on these results we obtained detailed insight in the optical behavior of a cholesteric liquid crystal layer for all angles of incident light. This knowledge is applicable in the design of display applications.