Fast switching bistable polymer-dispersed ferroelectric liquid crystals

Polymer dispersed ferroelectric liquid crystals incorporating novel difluoroterphenyl host materials are prepared by photopolymerisation-induced phase separation using an Argon Ion laser. The droplet size of the liquid crystal embedded in the polymer matrix depends on polymerisation conditions, vary...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ferroelectrics 1998-05, Vol.213 (1), p.171-178
Main Authors: Karapinar, R., O'neill, M., Newsome, C. J., Cough, N., Hird, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
deformed helix
difluoroterphenyl
optical bistability
Polymer dispersed ferroelectric liquid crystals
surface stabilised
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Polymer dispersed ferroelectric liquid crystals incorporating novel difluoroterphenyl host materials are prepared by photopolymerisation-induced phase separation using an Argon Ion laser. The droplet size of the liquid crystal embedded in the polymer matrix depends on polymerisation conditions, varying from greater than 10 μm to less than 1 μm. In all samples the helix is unwound by surface interactions at zero electric field and electro-optical switching occurs between two stable states on coupling to the spontaneous polarisation. Switching time < 60 μs and contrast ratios > 60 are recorded. In one sample excellent optical bistability is found implying that the switched on and surface stabilised states have similar molecular orientations.
ISSN:0015-0193
1563-5112
DOI:10.1080/00150199808016482