Optical signal and image amplification studies in dye-doped nematic liquid crystal E7

Abstract

This paper reports optical signal and image amplification in 75 μm thick samples of methyl red-doped nematic liquid crystals via the two beam coupling technique. Optical signal amplification is investigated for different angular separation (α) between pump and signal beams, pump-signal ratio (PSR), pump power, and dye concentration. Maximum signal amplifications of 19X, 13X, 63X, and 90X have been obtained for dye concentrations of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%, respectively. A novel application of our set-up and material is realized in amplifying images. Image amplification of 3X and 1.4X is gained for 9 mW and 30 mW pump power, respectively for α of 0.95° and PSR of 330 in the 0.8% by weight sample.