Determination of Temperature Dependence of Kerr Constant for Nematic Liquid Crystal

Abstract

Nematic liquid crystals are the preferred materials for linear and nonlinear optics, where frequently required photosensitivity is provided by appropriate doping. This investigationis concerned with the determination of the Kerr constant of nematic liquid crystal (9CHBT). The temperature dependence of the Kerr constant B for azo dye doped nematic liquid crystalshas been studied. The sample has a positive Kerr constant which increases with decreasing of temperature. The linear dependence of the Kerr constant on (T – T*)⁻¹is found to be ingood agreement with the predications of the Landau-de Gennes model.

Keywords:

• Kerr constant
• Kerr effect
• nematic liquid crystal
• temperature dependence