REFRACTIVE-INDEX OF NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS IN THE SUBMILLIMETER-WAVEREGION

Large electro-optic effects of liquid-crystal materials are attractive in applications to various optical devices in a wider wavelength regi on. Fundamental optical properties in the submillimeter wave region, s uch as refractive indices and transmission losses for some cyanobiphen yl nematic Liquid crystals, have been investigated for the first time, to our knowledge, with a submillimeter laser. Refractive indices of t he liquid crystal materials for ordinary and extraordinary rays are a little larger than those in the visible loss level is larger by simila r to 2 orders of magnitude than that of quartz plate, which is an exce llent window in the submillimeter wave region, the transmission of the liquid crystal cell is high enough. (C) 1997 Optical Society of Ameri ca.