THEORY OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTALS.

Abstract

The transmission and selective reflection of lights from cholesteric liquid crystals is discussed on the basis of the dynamical theory of diffraction. Expressions are obtained for the amplitudes and polarization of the reflected and transmitted waves for an arbitrary angle of incidence of light on a crystal. In particular, it is shown that - in constrast to the normal incidence case - there is a range of angles in which obliquely incident light of any polarization is totally reflected. A detailed analysis is made of the normal incidence of light and of the reflection from thin and thick crystals. Optimal conditions for the experimental observation of the total reflection are discussed. 9 refs.