Voltage and thickness dependence of LC birefringence studied with polarization-based Fabry-Perot interferometry and...

This study presents a comprehensive numerical and experimental approach to map the nonlinear electro-optic behavior of nematic liquid crystal (LC) cells, with a particular focus on refractive index changes (birefringence) under applied voltage across different cell thicknesses. A numerical simulation program, based on the Oseen-Frank equations, accurately determines the voltage required for birefringence in liquid crystal molecules for varying LC thicknesses and maps the nonlinear refractive index changes over time. Simulations using 5CB liquid crystal at different thicknesses (75, 100, and 125 µm) are validated with experimental results obtained from a liquid crystal-based interferometer utilizing a low finesse polarization-based Fabry-Perot interferometer. This research emphasizes the importance of cell thickness as a critical design parameter and provides a reliable method for characterizing electro-optic phenomena in next-generation liquid crystal devices.