Optical feedback-induced spatiotemporal patterns with power law spectra in a liquid crystal light valve

Abstract

Pattern formation can be induced by coupling electromagnetic fields to a polarizable and lossy medium. Increasing energy injection patterns can exhibit aperiodic behaviors. We investigate the self-organization of unidimensional aperiodic patterns. Based on a liquid crystal light valve (LCLV) with optical feedback, we observed aperiodic one-dimensional patterns with power laws in the temporal and spatial spectrum density of the light intensity, and their pseudo envelope and phase characteristic of spatiotemporal complexity. Theoretically, a local model describes the system close to nascent bistability and spatial instability. Numerical simulations of this model show chaotic spatiotemporal patterns whose temporal and spatial spectra have exponents similar to those observed experimentally.