Laser induced tuning of cholesteric liquid crystal without alignment layers

We demonstrate a laser induced tuning effect on non-chiral azobenzene-doped CLC (Azo-CLCs) without using orientated substrate. The reversible tuning range is 90 nm under alternative violet (405 nm) and green (532 nm) laser exposure corresponded to the response time of 3 and 15 s, respectively. The current demonstrations may find applications in photoactive micro- or nano-photonic devices where orientated substrate is difficult to be incorporated.