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Abstract
A critical review of laser induced nonlinear index changing mechanisms in liquid crystals is presented. In some azo-compound doped nematic films, we have observed nonlinear index coefficient » 1 cm2/W. The supra optical nonlinearities are attributed to photorefractivity, order parameter modification and dopant-nematic intermolecular torques. Using these nematic films, we show that it is possible to perform image processing with μW/cm2 optical intensity, and optical limiting with μW power lasers.