Finite-Difference Time-Domain Analysis of Twist-Defect-Mode Lasing Dynamics in Cholesteric Photonic Liquid Crystal

We have numerically investigated lasing dynamics from a twist defect in a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) by an auxiliary differential equation finite-difference time-domain (ADE-FDTD) method. As ADEs, the equation of motion of polarization described on the basis of the classical electron oscillator (Lorenz) model and the rate equation in a four-level energy structure are incorporated. A lower lasing threshold has been obtained from the twist-defect mode (TDM) than from band-edge lasing. Standing-wave-like electric fields are strongly localized only in the vicinity where a twist defect is introduced into a CLC, which works as a distributed feedback TDM laser source. The oscillation direction of a standing-wave electric field is not parallel or perpendicular to LC molecules, which is quite different from the bulk CLC case. Our results may be useful for creating more efficient TDM-based CLC lasers. (C) 2012 The Japan Society of Applied Physics