Stabilizing the uniform lying helix alignment in chiral nematic liquid crystals using direct laser writing

abstract

We investigate a novel approach for controlling the alignment of a fast-switching chiral nematic liquid crystal state using a high resolution two-photon absorption laser scanning lithography technique with aberration correction that permits the engineering of photonic structures in-situ. Walls of polymer network are engineered parallel and perpendicular to the helical axis of a uniform lying helix in chiral nematic liquid crystals in order to stabilize the alignment in the absence of an electric field and enhance the flexo-electro-optic response.

keywords:

• Liquid crystals; chiral; polymers

Funding

The authors would like to thank Merck Chemicals Ltd. and the Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council for support of an Industrial CASE Studentship.