We study the physical properties of thick liquid crystal layers in order to develop and exploit femtosecond pulses shaping capabilities and as a medium for ultrafast nonlinear optics. Besides, thick nematic liquid crystals enables compact and robust hyperspectral microscopy currently applied to biomimicry.
SOFTLITE
softlite SOFTLITE is a joint laboratory between Institut de Physique de Nice and Fastlite compagny, funded in 2015. The project consists in developing innovative phase modulation devices based on thick layers of nematic liquid crystals, so as to extend ultrafast pulse shaping capabilities. Recent results include : delay line for femtosecond pulses and hyperspectral imaging; wedged liquid-crystal cells for tunable shearing interferometry and an innovative phase modulator relying on thermo-optically addressed liquid crystal. This research topic has been funded by the ANR labcom grant SOFTLITE and the UCA innovation (IDEX) contract THERMOPTIX.
COLEOPTIX
coleoptix The chiral structure of cholesteric liquid crystal selectively reflects light. Inspired by the cholesteric organizations of beetle shells, we study innovative chiro-optic properties of cholesterics with complex torsion. Recent results address ultrashort (20 femtosecond) pulse shaping and hyperspectral imaging of insect cuticules in the context of bio-mimicry. This research topic is currently funded by the ANR grant COLEOPTIX, in partnership with CEMES laboratory in Toulouse.
ULTRAFAST NONLINEAR OPTICS
unloc In the framework of SOFTLITE, we have disclosed the use of thick nematic liquid crystal cells for ultrafast applications. These investigations have simultaneously opened a novel application field for ultrafast instrumentation as well as provided a new insight of liquid crystals dynamics. A natural extension of this research consists in investigating the ultrafast nonlinear properties of liquid crystals. In the framework of the UNLOC project, we propose to extend our ultrafast facility with the implementation of a more energetic and shorter femtosecond source, in order to investigate ultrafast nonlinear optics in liquid crystals. Ultrashort pulses give access to the ultrafast nonlinear temporal dynamics in the nonlinear medium and enable to reach high peak power and high average power, facilitating the excitation of third-order, or higher, nonlinear processes. Recent results adress a novel method for femtosecond nonlinear spectroscopy, based on transient frequency shearing detection in electronically-excited liquid crystals. This research topic is currently funded by the ANR project UNLOC.
PHASE-NOISE IN SUPERCONTINUUM GENERATION
itnsmart In the framework of an European network (ITN SMART-X, Study of carrier transport in Materials by time Resolved specTroscopy with ultrashort soft X-ray), we aim to complete the understanding of the mechanisms behind the generation of a supercontinuum in the sub-picosecond regime. In particular, we are studying the influence of the generation parameters and seeded light coherent properties on the determinism of the phase noise induced during this nonlinear phenomenon
LC TECH LAB
LCtechlab All the liquid-crystal devices are home-made in our fabrication lab: room ISO 8, spin coater, tools for cells assembly, reflection and transmission optical microscopy, liquid crystal mixtures (E7, E48, MLC2132, MLC2073). Various electrical waveform generators (Tabor) and substrates are also available for electro-optical control and / or thermo-optical control.
When browsing Université Côte d'Azur website and Université Côte d'Azur components websites by profile ("I am" menu), informations may be saved in a "Cookie" file installed by Université Côte d'Azur on your computer, tablet or mobile phone.This Cookie file contains informations, such as a unique identifier, the name of the portal, and the chosen profile. This Cookie file is read by its transmitter. During its 12-month validity period, it allows to recognize your terminal and to propose the chosen profile as your default home page.
You have accepted the deposit of profile information cookies in your navigator.
You have declined the deposit of profile information cookies in your navigator.
"Do Not Track" is enabled in your browser. No profiles information will be collected.
