Cholesteric 液晶における光学的特性の研究 II

抄録

As a sequel to the previous paper I, in which the wave propagation in an infinite cholesteric material was analyzed, we report in this paper the result of a theoretical study on the ptical properties of a cholesteric liquid crystal of finite thickness. The maximum value of selective reflection was found at the wavelength which is equal to the pitch of the cholesteric structure, and increases to unity with increasing sample thickness. It is noteworthy that there exists no discontinuity in the slope of the curve as in the case for infinite material, and that there appear minor side lobes due to an interference effect.
A similar characteristic is also predicted for the circular dichroism. Furthermore, the maimum value of the optical rotatory power decreases with sample thickness, and the interference effect is also present.