Chapter 17 Light Propagation in Cholesterics

We consider the propagation of light in liquid crystals. Starting with Maxwells equations, B E= (17.1) t D (17.2) H= t and letting B =o H and D = o r E gives or
2

E = o o r E) =

2E t2

(17.3) (17.4) (17.5) (17.6)

E (

r 2 E c2 t2

We now let = cos qz sin qz + = sin qz cos qz + r = || 0 0

and note that in the , frame

(17.7)

is diagonal. That is, the axis of the cholesteric helix is along the z-direction, and the director traces out a right-handed helix.(for denition of handedness and helicity, see the Appendix.) 95

96

CHAPTER 17. LIGHT PROPAGATION IN CHOLESTERICS We let the electric eld be of the form E = E(z)ei(tkz) (17.8) E =0, and Eq. (17.9)

and assume that E(z) is in the x y plane. We note that 17.4 gives 2E 2 = 2 r E z 2 c Substitution of Eq. 17.8 gives E (z) 2ikE (z) k 2 E(z) = We now write E(z) = E|| +E 2 r E(z) c2

(17.10)

(17.11)

where E|| and E are constants. Since = q and = q , substitution of Eq. 17.11 into Eq.17.10 gives 2 (q + 2 || k 2 )E|| = 2ikqE c
2

(17.12)

2 (q + 2 k 2 )E|| = +2ikqE|| (17.13) c Now q = 2/p, where p is the cholesteric pitch, k = 2n/o where o is the wavelength of light in free space, n is the eective refractive index ( = o /n is the wavelength in the , frame). We note that /c = 2/o , and let = o /p. Then Eqs. 17.12 and 17.13 become
2

and

(2 || + n2 )E|| = +2inE and (2 + n2 )E = 2inE|| These give, after some algebra, n2 = + 2 2 + 42

(17.14) (17.15)

(17.16)

where = (|| + )/2 is the average dielectric constant, and = (|| )/2 is the dielectric anisotropy.

97

n**2

15

10

0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

alpha

2.5

n2 vs. = o /p for = 3 and = 2.

We denote the value of n from Eq. 17.16 as n+ and with the negative as n . If 0, n2 = + 2 ( + 22 /) (17.17) and n2 = || + 2 (1 + 2/) + n2 = + 2 (1 2/) (17.18) (17.19)

Thus, for = 0, the two refractive indices are n+ = || and n = , and from Eq.17.14 and 17.15 we see that the eigenmodes are two plane polarized waves, one parallel to (the director) and the other to . If = 0 but small (the cholesteric pitch is long compared to the wavelength), then the eigenmodes are given by || + + (1 + )E|| +i E (17.20) (1 /)E i E (17.21) || or + + || E|| +i E (17.22)

98

CHAPTER 17. LIGHT PROPAGATION IN CHOLESTERICS E

+i E|| (17.23) that is, the two eigenmodes ar two elliptically polarized waves. Explicitly, substituting into Eq. 17.11 gives || + + E = E|| cos(t kz) + sin(t kz) (17.24) which is left-circularly polarized (with positive helicity), opposite to the handedness of the cholesteric, which is right-handed; and E = E sin(t kz) + cos(t kz) (17.25) which is right-circularly polarized (with negative helicity), having the same handedness as the cholesteric. It is interesting to look at the behavior in the vicinity of the region where 2 n becomes negative. Imaginary n means that there is no propagation; hence expect strong reection of one mode here. The end points of this reection band are the points where n2 = 0. Here n2 = + 2 2 + 42 = 0 This gives = and = || ; that is, reection occurs when p < o < p || or pno < o < pne (17.28) We consider the elds at the reection band edges. If = , then n = 0. Eq.17.15 is automatically satised; Eq. 17.14 = E|| = 0. Since k = 2n = 0, the solution is o
E = E eit

(17.26)

(17.27)

(17.29)

Here the eld is everywhere parallel to and oscillating in time; this is a non-propagating mode. For the same value = , from Eq.17.16, n2 = 2( + 2 ) and n+ = || + 3 . Then Eq. 17.14 gives +
+ E = 2i

E+ || + 3 ||

(17.30)

99 and the solution is

+ E+ = E|| cos(t kz) + 2

sin(t kz) || + 3

(17.31)

which is again left-circularly polarized (with positive helicity), opposite to the handedness of the cholesteric. Similarly, if = || , then n = 0. Eq. 17.14 is automatically satised; Eq. 17.15 = E = 0. Since k = 2n = 0, the solution is o
E = E|| eit

(17.32)

Here the eld is everywhere parallel to and oscillating in time; this is a non-propagating mode. For the same value = || , from Eq.17.16, n2 = 2( + 2 ) and n+ = 3|| + .Then Eq. 17.14 gives +
+ E|| = 2i

E+ 3|| +

(17.33)

and the solution is

+ E+ = E 2

sin(t kz) + cos(t kz) 3|| +

(17.34)

which is again left-circularly polarized (with positive helicity), opposite to the handedness of the cholesteric. Finally, it is interesting to ask what happens when the pitch gets much shorter than the wavelength of light. From Eq. 17.16, if >> , n2 ( )2 (17.35) The relevant roots are n+ = and from Eq.17.14, E|| so E =E sin(t kz) + cos(t kz) (17.38) which is left-circularly polarized, opposite to the handedness of the cholesteric, with wavevector 2 2 k+ = + = kA + q (17.39) o o iE (17.37) + (17.36)

100

CHAPTER 17. LIGHT PROPAGATION IN CHOLESTERICS

Now substituting for k and writing E in the lab-frame, we get E+ = E {(cos qz sin(t qz kA z) + sin qz cos(t qz kA z)} (17.40)

+{cos qz cos(t qz kA z) sin qz sin(t qz kA z)} or

E+ =E [sin(t kA z) + cos(t kA z)}] (17.41) This is circularly polarized light, propagating with speed c/ , independent of the pitch of the cholesteric. Similarly, (17.42) n = Note here that n < 0. Fom Eq.17.15, E = iE|| and E =E|| cos(t kz) sin(t kz) which is left circularly polarized, since k < 0; 2 2 k = = kA q o o and substituting for k and writing E in the lab-frame, we get E = E|| {(cos qz cos(t + qz kA z) + sin qz sin(t + qz kA z)} (17.46) (17.44) (17.43)

(17.45)

+{sin qz cos(t + qz kA z) cos qz sin(t + qz kA z)} or

The normal modes in Eqs. 17.41 and 17.47 are left- and right-circularly polarized waves in the lab frame, travelling with speed c/ , independent of the pitch of the cholesteric. They may be combined to give plane polarized light. Thus, for >> 1, the light essentially sees an isotropic medium, with dieletric constant .

E = E|| [cos(t kA z) sin(wt kA z)]

(17.47)

17.1. A SIMPLE PICTURE

101

17.1

A simple picture

It is useful to develop a simple picture of the non-propagating modes. Consider the eld Er =Eo (cos(wt kz + +z ) sin(t kz + +z )) +z (17.48)

This is right circularly polarized light travelling in the +z direction . One can imagine the electric eld vector tracing out a right-handed helix, which is rotating clockwise when looking towards the source of light. Consider the eld Er =Eo (cos(wt + kz + z ) + sin(t + kz + z )) z (17.49)

This is right circularly polarized light travelling in the z direction. If both modes are present, (right circularly polarized light propagating in the +z direction, and right circularly polarized light propagating in the z direction), the identities cos A + cos B = 2 cos(A + B)/2 cos(A B)/2 and sin A + sin B = 2 sin(A + B)/2 cos(A B)/2 give Er + Er = 2Eo (cos(kz) + sin(kz)) cos(t + (+z + z )/2) +z z (17.50)

which is exactly the form of the non-propagating modes of Eqs.17.29 and 17.32. It is convenient therefore to think of the non-propagating modes as superpositions of forward (+z) and backward (z) propagating modes with the same handedness of the cholesteric. Therefore in the reection band, light with the same handedness as the cholesteric is reected (i.e. light whose electric eld vector at xed time traces out a helix with the same handedness as the helix traced out by the director of the cholesteric) while light of the opposite handedness is transmitted. It is interesting to note that a superposition of counterpropagating circularly polarized waves with opposite handedness gives a very dierent result. Superposing Er =Eo (cos(wt kz + +z ) sin(t kz + +z )) +z and El =Eo (cos(wt + kz + z ) sin(t + kz + z )) z (17.52) (17.51)

102 gives

CHAPTER 17. LIGHT PROPAGATION IN CHOLESTERICS

Er + El +z z = 2Eo (cos(kz) cos(t + (+z + z )/2) cos(kz) sin(t + (+z + z )/2))

(17.53) (17.54)

which has nodes whenever kz = (m + 1/2), and rotation all in one sense, while superposing El =Eo (cos(wt kz + +z ) + sin(t kz + +z )) +z and Er =Eo (cos(wt + kz + z ) + sin(t + kz + z )) z gives El + Er = 2Eo (cos(kz) cos(t + (+z + z )/2) +z z +cos(kz) sin(t + (+z + z )/2)) (17.57) (17.58) (17.56) (17.55)

which also has nodes whenever kz = (m + 1/2), but rotation is all in the opposite sense. Finally, we note that simple reection by a mirror changes the handedness of circularly polarized light. If the incident light is Er =Eo (cos(wt kz) sin(t kz)) +z the light reected by an ordinary mirror will be Eref lected =Eo (cos(wt + kz) + sin(t + kz)) which is left circularly polarized. (17.60) (17.59)

17.2

Summary

In summary, the normal modes are two elliptically polarized waves (in the rotating , frame) whose principal axes remain aligned with the principal axes of the dielectric tensor. (In the lab frame, each of these modes may be

17.3. APPENDIX

103

thought of as the sum of two circularly polarized modes, propagating with dierent speeds.) In the case of long pitch, ( 0), the normal modes are essentially plane polarized waves, whose polarization follows the principal axes of the dielectric tensor. The n+ mode corresponds to E along the director, and the n mode to E perpendicular to the director. In general, the n+ mode has the opposite handedness as the cholesteric. This mode becomes more and more circularly polarized as the pitch decreases ( increases), and it always propagates. For small , the n mode has the same handedness as the cholesteric. As the pitch decreases, this mode rst becomes more and more circularly polarized, then less circularly polarized, and becomes plane polarized (in the rotating frame) when o = p . Here n = 0; the E-eld resembles a standing wave; its direction remains everywhere perpendicular to the director, and its magnitude varies in time but not in space. This may be thougth of as two counterpropagating circularly polarized waves, both with the same handedness as the cholesteric. The Poynting vector is zero. In the region p < o < p || , there is no propagation of the n mode, since n is imaginary; here the eld decays exponentially in the z-direction. The n+ mode, which is nearly circularly polarized, propagates, however. When o = p || , again n = 0, and the E eld is everywhere parallel to the director, its magnitude oscillates in time but not in space. This again may be thought of as two counterpropagating circularly polarized waves, with the same handedness as the cholesteric. As the pitch becomes shorter, the n mode again propagates, but now with opposite handedness as the cholesteric, as an elliptically polarized wave, becoming more and more circularly polarized with decreasing p. For large , the material appears isotropic with eective index .

17.3

Appendix

We discuss handedness and helicity. Handedness is associated with space alone, while helicity is with space and time. Helicity is associated with the sign of angular momentum projected onto the propagation direction. Consider a vector eld given by E = cos(wt kz) sin(t kz) (17.61)

104

CHAPTER 17. LIGHT PROPAGATION IN CHOLESTERICS

At a xed time (say t = 0), as function of position z, E, given by Eq. 17.61, traces out a right handed helix, similar to a right handed screw. This is right polarized light. If you are looking so that light is coming towards you, the helix is rotating counteclockwise as the spatial coordinate z increases.

y
Fig. 1. Right handed polarization. For light coming towards observer, the helix is rotating counteclockwise as function of position. At a xed position (say z = 0), as function of time t, E, given by Eq. 17.61 traces out a left handed helix, similar to a left-handed screw. (Note that the direction of increasing time is in the direction of wave propagation) This is light with negative helicity (left handed helicity). If you are looking so that light is coming towards you, the helix is rotating clockwise as the temporal coordinate t increases.

y
Fig. 2. Negative helicity. For light coming towards observer, the helix is rotating clockwise as function of time.

17.3. APPENDIX

105

Right circularly polarized light has negative (left handed) helicity. Left circularly polarized light has positive (right handed) helicity. Handedness is associated with space alone, while helicity is with space and time. For travelling waves, the two have opposite handedness; this can cause confusion in the literature. Light has both handedness and helicity; the cholesteric material only handedness.