Influence of the backward propagating waves on the threshold in planar nematic liquid crystal films

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates how backward propagating waves affect the primary threshold in planar nematic liquid crystal films, revealing oscillatory behavior influenced by phase delay and boundary refractive index drops.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model showing the impact of backward waves on threshold oscillations in nematic liquid crystals, highlighting boundary effects.

Findings

Primary threshold exhibits oscillations as a function of phase delay.

Oscillation amplitude depends on boundary refractive index drops.

Backward waves significantly influence threshold behavior.

Abstract

We analyze theoretically the influence of backward propagating waves on the primary threshold when a linearly polarized light impinges at normal incidence on a planarly aligned nematic liquid crystal films. We show, that the primary threshold, as a function of the phase delay induced by the nematic layer, exhibits oscillations. The amplitude of oscillations depends strongly on the drop of the refractivity indices of the nematic and outer media at the boundaries.