Comparison of analytical calculations to finite-difference time-domain simulations of one-dimensional spatially varying anisotropic liquid crystal structures

There is a need for an accurate optical simulation tool for liquid crystal structures with director variations in more than one dimension. Finite-diff erence time-domain (FDTD) computation of Maxwell's equations is one approac h to consider. The FDTD method has been in use in the electrical en,enginee ring community for years, but has only recently been applied to liquid crys tal structures. Little is known about the accuracy of FDTD simulations of t ypical liquid crystal structures, in which the dielectric tensor can underg o large local spatial variations. This paper compares FDTD simulations and analytic solutions of two liquid crystal problems: the twisted-nematic cell and Bragg reflection from a planar cholesteric layer.