Molecular Orientation Imaging of Liquid Crystals by Tunable-Polarization-Mode Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy

概要

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We have developed a tunable-polarization-mode coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscope with compact polarization mode converters constructed using eight-segmented liquid-crystal spatial light modulators. The polarization modes, such as linear, radial, and azimuthal polarizations, of two excitation beams are controlled independently and are switched without any mechanical tuning in less than 300 ms. We use the system to detect the molecular orientation of 4-cyano-4'-octylbiphenyl (8CB) liquid crystals aligned parallel and perpendicular to the optical axis. We also observe CARS images of liquid crystal defects known as focal conic domains, demonstrating the potential of our molecular orientation imaging system.
2013-07-25