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Bistable switching of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals between transparent and scattering modes

Part of: Polymers and Soft Matter

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2015

Kyung Min Lee ,
Vincent P. Tondiglia  and
Timothy J. White
Kyung Min Lee
Affiliation:
Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-7750; Azimuth Corporation, 4027 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, Ohio 45431, USA
Vincent P. Tondiglia
Affiliation:
Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-7750; Leidos, 3745 Pentagon Boulevard, Beavercreek, Ohio 45431, USA
Timothy J. White*
Affiliation:
Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-7750, USA
*
Address all correspondence to Timothy J. White at[email protected]
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Abstract

We report on the ability to switch an optical material composed of a polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (polymer stabilized cholesteric texture, PSCT) between stable transparent (reflective) and scattering modes. The degree of scattering is controllable with the strength of the applied electric field. The mechanism for bistable switching of the PSCT is distinguished from prior examinations by employing electromechanical displacement of a stabilizing polymer network. The stable transparent (reflective) or scattering modes are induced with a variety of driving schemes employing both alternating and direct current fields. The relative degree of scattering can be varied to allow for grayscale control potentially useful in smart window and display applications.

Type
Polymers/Soft Matter Research Letters
Information
MRS Communications , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , June 2015 , pp. 223 - 227
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2015 

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