Trilayer nematic liquid crystal optical switching device

An optical switching system comprising:

• first and second optical switching devices, each device comprising:
• first and second transparent substrates having corresponding main surfaces with respective first and second transparent electrodes and first and second alignment films formed thereon, the first and second transparent substrates being disposed with the main surfaces in a facing, spaced relationship and defining a gap therebetween,
• first and second transparent end walls disposed in spaced and opposed relationship and extending between the respective main surfaces of the first and second transparent substrates,
• a nematic liquid crystal material, capable of forming a dimer, disposed in and filing the gap and defining a central layer separating first and second layers, the first and second layers being contiguous with and extending from the respective first and second alignment films to the central layer and defining corresponding first and second interfaces with the central layer, the first and second layers each exhibiting a ferroelectric characteristic and the central layer exhibiting a normal dielectric characteristic, and
• each of the first and second liquid crystal layers, in the absence of a voltage being applied to the respective first and second transparent electrodes, having a first index of refraction relative to the index of refraction of the central liquid crystal layer which results in total reflection of a coherent light beam, which is transmitted through the first transparent end wall and propagated in the central layer, at the respective interfaces of the first and second layers with the central layer, and each of the first and second layers having a second, different index of refraction relative to the index of refraction of the central layer in response to the application of an electrical voltage to the first and second transparent electrodes, such that at least a part of the coherent light beam, which is propagated through the central liquid crystal layer, is transmitted through a corresponding one of the first and second liquid crystal layers and through the respective, contiguous alignment film, transparent electrode and transparent substrate and thereby to the exterior of the respective transparent substrate;
• and the second optical switching device being positioned relatively to the first optical switching device for receiving, through the first end wall and within the central layer of the second optical switching device the coherent light beam transmitted through the first transparent substrate of the first optical switching device.