Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Slow-light through wave-mixing in liquid crystal light-valves and interferometric applications

S. Residori, U. Bortolozzo, J.-P. Huignard

Published Jan 10, 2012• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present the nonlinear optical properties of liquid crystal light-valves and wave-mixing experiments from which slow-light effects are obtained. Group velocities as low as fractions of mm/s are achieved, the corresponding group index becoming very large. We show how this property that can be exploited to realize interferometric systems, for instance, an enhanced sensitivity Mach-Zehnder interferometer containing the light-valve as a slowlight medium is shown. Then, we present a common-path polarization interferometer based on the anisotropic character of the slow-light process occurring in the light-valve. Finally, we present a nonlinear optical cavity where a Doppler shift is introduced by the controlled displacement of one of the mirrors. Self-pulsing is obtained in the cavity due to the strongly dispersive response of the light-valve.

DOI
10.1117/12.914727

Related papers

Slow-light interactions in liquid crystal light valves and applications for adaptive interferometric detection

S. Residori, U. Bortolozzo, Jean‐Pierre Huignard

By performing two-beam coupling experiments in a liquid crystal light-valve, a large slow-light effect is obtained, with group velocity as slow as a few tenths of mm/s. According to the anisotropic character of the wave-mixing process in liquid crystals, the interactions are accompanied by different behaviors on the different polarization states, with high response to phase changes on the extraordinary wave and the ordinary wave traveling unaffected. Different types of enhanced sensitivity phase detection systems are realized based on the slow-light features of wave-mixing in light-valves, such as common-path polarization interferometers exploiting different polarization states, adaptive holography and nonlinear Sagnac detection.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Feb 10, 2011•0 citations

Two-wave mixing and slow-light effects in liquid crystal light-valves

S. Residori, U. Bortolozzo, Jean‐Pierre Huignard

Two-wave mixing experiments performed in a liquid crystal light-valve leads to optical amplification in the Raman-Nath regime of diffraction. By exploiting the dispersion properties associated with the two-wave mixing gain, we demonstrate slow and fast light effects, with the output signal pulse either delayed or anticipated with respect to the input light field. Group velocity as slow as a 0.2 mm/s are obtained, and a large tunability of the group delay is achieved thanks to the ability of controlling the liquid crystal nonlinear response through the main experimental parameters. A theoretical model based on the Kerr-like response of the liquid crystal light-valve accounts for the experimental results and allows us to calculate the group delays for the different output orders. We show that the large group delay obtained in the slow light regime can be exploited to enhance the spectral sensitivity of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and, on the other side, the narrow frequency bandwidth of the two-wave mixing gain can be used to realize an adaptive holographic system that achieves picometer detection.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Aug 20, 2009•0 citations

Slow-light through nonlinear wave-mixing in liquid crystal light-valves

U. Bortolozzo, S. Residori, Jean‐Pierre Huignard

Slow-light is obtained through nonlinear wave-mixing in a liquid crystal light-valve. A deceleration of light pulses down to group velocities as small as 0.2 mm/s is achieved when two-wave-mixing is performed with a continuous pump and a time modulated signal. A model accounts for the observations in the general framework of nonlinear wave-mixing in thin media. The large group delay provided by the light-valve is exploited to enhance the spectral sensitivity of an interferometer, whereas the narrow frequency bandwidth of the two-wave-mixing gain is used to realize an adaptive holographic system that allows achieving subpicometer detection.

Comptes Rendus Physique•Dec 1, 2009•7 citations

Slow and Fast Light through Nonlinear Wave Mixing in Liquid Crystal Light Valves

S. Residori, U. Bortolozzo, Jean‐Pierre Huignard

The large dispersive properties of wave mixing in liquid crystal light-valves allow obtaining fast and slow light with tunable group velocities. A slow light interferometer is shown by using this process in the light-valve.

Advances in Optical Sciences Congress•Jan 1, 2009•1 citation

Slow-light birefringence and high precision polarization interferometry in liquid crystal light-valves

S. Residori, U. Bortolozzo, Jean‐Pierre Huignard

Liquid crystals are characterized by a strong anisotropy of their physical properties, which is at the origin of their high birefringence. By performing two-wave mixing experiments in a liquid crystal light-valve, we show that the anisotropic nature of the beam coupling occurring in the liquid crystal layer leads to a slow-light birefringence phenomenon, that is, orthogonal polarization states of the input pulse travel at very different group velocities. Such a slow-light birefringence effect comports a large difference in the group index for the ordinary and the extraordinary wave. The resulting high contrast of the group index can be exploited for realizing a common-path polarization interferometer working at enhanced sensitivity, where very small phase variations can be efficiently detected.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Aug 13, 2010•0 citations

Liquid crystal light valves for slow light and applications

S. Residori, U. Bortolozzo, Jean‐Pierre Huignard

The large dispersive properties of wave mixing in liquid crystal light-valves allow obtaining fast and slow light with tunable group velocities. A slow light interferometer is shown by using this interaction.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Feb 1, 2010•0 citations
We present the nonlinear optical properties of liquid crystal light-valves and wave-mixing experiments from which slow-light effects are obtained. Group velocities as low as fractions of mm/s are achieved, the corresponding group index becoming very large. We show how this property that can be exploited to realize interferometric systems, for instance, an enhanced sensitivity Mach-Zehnder interferometer containing the light-valve as a slowlight medium is shown. Then, we present a common-path polarization interferometer based on the anisotropic character of the slow-light process occurring in the light-valve. Finally, we present a nonlinear optical cavity where a Doppler shift is introduced by the controlled displacement of one of the mirrors. Self-pulsing is obtained in the cavity due to the strongly dispersive response of the light-valve.
By performing two-beam coupling experiments in a liquid crystal light-valve, a large slow-light effect is obtained, with group velocity as slow as a few tenths of mm/s. According to the anisotropic character of the wave-mixing process in liquid crystals, the interactions are accompanied by different behaviors on the different polarization states, with high response to phase changes on the extraordinary wave and the ordinary wave traveling unaffected. Different types of enhanced sensitivity phase detection systems are realized based on the slow-light features of wave-mixing in light-valves, such as common-path polarization interferometers exploiting different polarization states, adaptive holography and nonlinear Sagnac detection.
Two-wave mixing experiments performed in a liquid crystal light-valve leads to optical amplification in the Raman-Nath regime of diffraction. By exploiting the dispersion properties associated with the two-wave mixing gain, we demonstrate slow and fast light effects, with the output signal pulse either delayed or anticipated with respect to the input light field. Group velocity as slow as a 0.2 mm/s are obtained, and a large tunability of the group delay is achieved thanks to the ability of controlling the liquid crystal nonlinear response through the main experimental parameters. A theoretical model based on the Kerr-like response of the liquid crystal light-valve accounts for the experimental results and allows us to calculate the group delays for the different output orders. We show that the large group delay obtained in the slow light regime can be exploited to enhance the spectral sensitivity of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and, on the other side, the narrow frequency bandwidth of the two-wave mixing gain can be used to realize an adaptive holographic system that achieves picometer detection.
Slow-light is obtained through nonlinear wave-mixing in a liquid crystal light-valve. A deceleration of light pulses down to group velocities as small as 0.2 mm/s is achieved when two-wave-mixing is performed with a continuous pump and a time modulated signal. A model accounts for the observations in the general framework of nonlinear wave-mixing in thin media. The large group delay provided by the light-valve is exploited to enhance the spectral sensitivity of an interferometer, whereas the narrow frequency bandwidth of the two-wave-mixing gain is used to realize an adaptive holographic system that allows achieving subpicometer detection.
Liquid crystals are characterized by a strong anisotropy of their physical properties, which is at the origin of their high birefringence. By performing two-wave mixing experiments in a liquid crystal light-valve, we show that the anisotropic nature of the beam coupling occurring in the liquid crystal layer leads to a slow-light birefringence phenomenon, that is, orthogonal polarization states of the input pulse travel at very different group velocities. Such a slow-light birefringence effect comports a large difference in the group index for the ordinary and the extraordinary wave. The resulting high contrast of the group index can be exploited for realizing a common-path polarization interferometer working at enhanced sensitivity, where very small phase variations can be efficiently detected.