Optically Addressed Spatial Light Modulator Using an Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal Doped with Azobenzene

We have fabricated an optically addressed bistable light modulator operable under a bias voltage using an antiferroelectric liquid crystal doped with photochromic dye molecules. The photoreaction is based on the change in the threshold voltage in the field-induced antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase transition, which is driven by the cis-trans photoisomerization. A response time of 30 ms was achieved by irradiation of a 10 mW Ar+ laser without focusing. We demonstrated the recording ability of continuous gray levels by changing either light intensity or pulse duration.