Electric field analysis in chiral liquid crystals by Berreman’s 4 × 4 matrix method

Abstract

Abstract Berreman’s 4 × 4 matrix method is a standard method for the analysis of the optical properties of chiral liquid crystals such as cholesteric and ferroelectric liquid crystals. This method has been widely used to calculate transmission and reflection spectra and the density of states of chiral liquid crystals. A spatial profile of the electric field in a propagation medium is also important for fundamental research and development of optical devices, but electric field analysis by the 4 × 4 matrix method has not yet been established. We describe the calculation method of internal electric fields in liquid crystals by the 4 × 4 matrix method.