Analysis and model of the photorefractive-like effect in a non-conductive asymmetric liquid crystal hybrid cell

In this paper we describe a non-conductive liquid crystal hybrid cell with the photoconductive polymer (PP) layer. The orientation of the liquid crystal (LC) molecules in the described optical device is controlled by an external electric field and proper illumination. A method to calculate photoinduced refractive index distribution in the liquid crystal layer has been presented. We propose the model of a space charge formation in the photoconductive polymer layer in the presence of light. We assumed that the carriers generated by the light in the PP diffuse into an unlighted area and drift in an external field and local field of the generated charge. In determining the distribution of the space charge field, we take into account the field-induced charges on the borders of individual layers. After calculation of the final distribution of the space charge and proper field distribution, we determine the director field distribution and refractive index distribution in an LC layer.