Finite-difference time domain method for light wave propagation within liquid crystal devices

Light wave propagation within liquid crystal devices is determined by the a pplication of an appropriate finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, a ccounting rigorously for electromagnetic wave propagation. The introduction of FDTD calculations is aimed to substitute the matrix-type solvers in cas es where the stratified-medium approximation fails. Such cases are commonly encountered when a liquid crystal device exhibits variations of the direct or orientation along the transverse direction on the scale of the propagati ng optical wavelength, for instance, at pixel edges. The formulation and sa mple numerical application are focused on planar liquid crystal devices exh ibiting bend/splay deformation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.