Fine topological structure of coherent complex light created by carbon nanocomposites in LC

TL;DR

This study investigates the complex light structures, optical singularities, and electrical properties of nematic liquid crystal doped with carbon nanotubes, revealing new mechanisms of structure orientation and potential applications in nanoscience.

Contribution

It introduces a novel understanding of the topological and optical singularities in LC-CNT composites and demonstrates a new mechanism of structure orientation nonlinearity in nonlinear photonics.

Findings

Carbon nanotube clusters form fractal microstructures affecting light propagation.

Applied electric fields induce homeotropic alignment and inversion walls, reducing free energy.

Percolation enhances electrical conductivity and creates inversion walls without external fields.

Abstract

Fine complex light structure, optical singularities and electroconductivty of nematic 5CB doped by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were investigated. MWCNTs gather spontaneously to system of micro scale clusters with random fractal borders at small enough concentration. They are surrounded by the striped micro scale cladding which creates optical singularities in propagating laser beam. Applied transverse electric field above the Freedericksz initiates homeotropic arrangement of 5CB and the striped inversion walls between nanotubes clusters what diminishes free energy of a composite. Theory of their appearance and properties was built. Simultaneously the striped cladding disappears what can be treated as new mechanism of structure orientation nonlinearity in nonlinear photonics. Polarization singularities (circular C points) were measured firstly. Percolation of clusters enhances strongly electrical conductivity of the system and creates inversion walls even without applied field. Carbon nanotubes composites in LC form bridge between nano dopants and micro/macro system and are promising for applications. Elaborated protocol of singular optics inspection and characterization of LC nanocomposites is promising tool for applications in modern nanosience and technique.