Self-Phase Modulation Induced by a He–Ne Laser in Host-Guest Liquid Crystals with Different Nematic-Isotropic Transition Temperatures

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Abstract
We observed diffraction rings and a He-Ne laser induced self-phase modulation due to photothermal effects in host-guest liquid crystals with different nematic-isotropic transition temperature (T NI). A far-field pattern of the laser beam passed through the host-guest liquid crystals depended on the polarization of the incident laser beam and the results were explained by sign of the refractive index change and spatial self-phase modulation. Higher photosensitivity in low T NI of host-guest liquid crystals was obtained than that in high T NI of those. The multiple diffraction ring pattern of the laser beam passed through the low T NI of host-guest liquid crystals was observed since the maximum phase increment was much larger than 2π.