Optical switching by a dielectric-cladded nematic firm

An analysis and experimental results on optical switching from a transmission to a total reflection state, using a nematic film bounded by two prisms, are presented. This configuration provides a useful scheme for optical limiting applications with a large dynamic range. From the preliminary experiments and an analysis based on the nonlinear Fabry-Perot effect given elsewhere it is clear that this type of device can be optimized to meet practical self-limiting device applications.>