Simultaneous rectification of heat and light using liquid crystal

Author(s)

Santos, Jr., Silvio J. ^[1] ; Andrade, Jair ^[2] ; Pereira, Erms ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Pernambuco, Polytech Sch Pernambuco, Rua Benfica 455, BR-50720001 Recife, PE - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rural Pernambuco, Dept Phys, BR-52171900 Recife, PE - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Applied Physics; v. 124, n. 9 SEP 7 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The detection and treatment of signals are proper applications of, for example, thermal and optical diodes. However, such devices are mono-physical ones, rectifying only one kind of energy. Here, we show a thermal-optical diode that rectifies heat and light simultaneously. It consists of a capillary tube keeping a nematic liquid crystal that holds an escaped radial disclination: an axial asymmetric defect spontaneously arises in cylindrical cavities. Using the properties of the 5CB liquid crystal, we numerically measured thermal and optical rectifications of 3.5% and 120%, respectively, comparable to those of carbon nanotube thermal diodes and photonic-crystal-based optical diodes. From thermal, shape, and molecular studies developed in this work, we concluded that low working heat flux eases both optical and thermal rectifications, miniaturizing that the thermal-optical diodes favor thermal and disfavor optical rectifications, and both rectifications have different optimal molecular configurations. We believe that the presented thermal-optical diode can contribute to save materials, increase information processed, miniaturize complex systems, and develop new structured devices. Published by AIP Publishing. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50983-3 - INCT 2014: complex fluids
• Grantee: Antonio Martins Figueiredo Neto
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants