Ferroelectric liquid-crystal light valve addressed by laser heating

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Abstract
A ferroelectric liquid-crystal light valve for laser addressing is studied. Surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid-crystal cells are employed, where the liquid crystals have bistable states with respect to molecular alignment. The threshold width of an applied voltage pulse required for ferroelectric switching (polarization reversal) decreases with raising cell temperature for a given pulse height. Laser writing and erasure are successfully performed with this effect. An important feature of this light valve is that the overall erasure can be done certainly, readily, and quickly by applying an appropriate pulse voltage.