Abstract

The results of a detailed study of the dynamics of switching from a total-internal-reflection to a transmission state at a prisms-cladded liquid crystal film are presented. These results are in good agreement with recently published theory based on a multilayered transfer matrix technique for such switching dynamics. Detailed dependences on several geometrical, optical and material parameters are also presented. The intense transverse phase modulation effects accompanying the switching process is also shown to be an excellent mechanism for optical limiting action on the initially totally reflected beam.

© 1990 Optical Society of America