OPTICS OF SOME CHIRAL LIQUID-CRYSTALS

Although the optics of chiral systems like cholesterics has been studi ed for well over one hundred years, the subject is still very relevant in view of new and different chiral systems that have been realised i n the laboratory in recent times. These systems are associated with no vel optical properties and have drawn considerable attention. Here, we consider the optics of ferrocholesterics, absorbing cholesterics, chi ral smectic C, absorbing and non-absorbing twist grain boundary smecti cs and a tapered soliton lattice. In particular, we deal with reflecti on, transmission and diffraction properties of these systems.