Electro-optical nonlinearity and Kerr effect engineering in SnO2-doped nematic liquid crystal for advanced photonic applications
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study reports a concentration- and temperature-dependent analysis of the Kerr effect and third-order nonlinear optical response in SnO 2 NP-ML-1102 composites (0.1–0.9 wt%). Ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices, birefringence, normalized polarizabilities, and Kerr constants were analyzed to investigate the optical and electro-optical characteristics of the host medium. Positive birefringence was maintained across the investigated temperature range for all compositions. The Kerr constant and the derived third-order susceptibility χ (3) exhibited a clear dependence on nanoparticle loading, with the highest values observed near the nematic-isotropic transition for the 0.7 wt% composite. However, compositions outside this concentration range showed comparatively reduced nonlinear response. The pre-transitional temperature (T * ), determined from the inverse Kerr constant behavior, displayed a non-monotonic variation with nanoparticle concentration, consistent with phenomenological expectations for fluctuation-mediated electro-optical effects. The results demonstrate that nanoparticle incorporation provides a practical route for adjusting nonlinear electro-optical behavior in nematic liquid crystal systems.
Source: Scientific Reports
Institutions: University of Bonab, Jožef Stefan Institute
Language: English
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7161957403
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