Nematic Liquid Crystals as a Tabletop Platform for Studying Turbulence

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Ferreira, TD (Author) Other; Silva, NA (Author) Other; Guerreiro, A (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: U.Porto Journal of Engineering

Vol. 8 No. 2

Pages: 42-47

Publisher: Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Engenharia

Indexing

Scopus

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-NTP

DOI: 10.24840/2183-6493_008.003_0009

Abstract (EN): Light propagating in nonlinear optical materials opens the possibility to emulate quantum fluids of light with accessible tabletop experiments by taking advantage of the hydrodynamical interpretation. In this context, various optical materials have been studied in recent years, with nematic liquid crystals appearing as one of the most promising ones due to their controllable properties. Indeed, the application of an external electric field can tune their nonlocal response, and this mechanism may be useful for producing fluids of light and developing optical analogues. In this work, we extend the applicability of nematic liquid crystal to support optical analogues and study the possibility of emulating turbulent phenomena by using two fluids of light. These fluids interact with each other through the nonlinearity of the medium and generate instabilities that will lead to turbulent regimes. We also explore the possibility of exciting turbulent regimes through the decay of dark soliton stripes. The preliminary results are presented. © 2022, Universidade do Porto - Faculdade de Engenharia. All rights reserved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific