Electrical response of the supramolecular helical structure and laser action in chiral photonic bandgap liquid crystals

In this report, we present the reversible response of the supramolecular helical structure and lasing action in the chiral photonic bandgaps of cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) by applying voltage. Optical pumping of dye-doped CLC cells with a linearly polarized beam gives rise to laser emission with circular polarization at the chiral photonic bandgap edge (s). Applying voltages to the optically pumped CLC cells enables reversible switching of the laser action as a result of the structural changes in the chiral photonic bandgap of CLC host.