Electrooptic response of the reflective liquid crystal cell: Intensity andphase behaviors

The electrooptic characteristics of a reflective mode, 45 degrees-twisted n ematic liquid crystal [E7] cell in the voltage regions above and below Free dericksz transition threshold were investigated for the intensity and phase of the reflected wave. Oscillatory behavior in the parallel reflectivity w as observed in the regime of 2.96 pi greater than or equal to 2 beta (phase retardation) greater than or equal to 1.94 pi. This phenomenon was found t o be due to the multiple reflections between the glass-indium tin oxide int erface and the aluminium reflecting surface. In the regime of 1.94 pi great er than or equal to 2 beta greater than or equal to 0.72 pi, a 100% modulat ion efficiency was achieved for the perpendicular configuration. The phase characteristic of the reflected wave was found to be closely related to the birefringence of the liquid crystal layer.