Interference Phenomenon in Electro-Optic Response of Nematic in Domain Structure on Polycarbonate Surface

Abstract
nterference variations of the intensity of the unpolarized light propagating through the ensemble of liquid crystal domains formed on the polycarbonate surface were investigated. By calculation methods, the expressions for the light intensity and the phase delay between ordinary and extraordinary rays were obtained taking into account the change of the nematic director orientation under the action of the electric field. Experimental dependences of the light intensity on voltage are consistent with the calculated ones. The scattering of light during its propagation through the growing domains was studied. It is shown that the interference intensity changes at varying voltage are caused by the superposition of extraordinary and ordinary rays passing through the domains.

Keywords: nematic liquid crystal, polycarbonate, light interference, light scattering, electric field