The influence of helical twisting power on the electro-optical properties of reverse-mode polymer-stabilised cholesteric texture

Abstract

Helical twisting power (HTP), an important parameter of the chiral dopant, was reported to have great influence on the electro-optical properties of reverse-mode polymer-stabilised cholesteric texture (PSCT). In this study, chiral dopants with different HTPs were used to prepare PSCT with the same pitch length. The effect of HTP on the morphology and electro-optical properties of PSCT was investigated. The scanning electron microscopy indicates that the polymer networks become tighter with the increase of HTP. It was found that the threshold voltage increases and field-off response time reduces, which is ascribed to the increasing elastic force between the polymer network and the LC molecules.

Keywords:

• polymer-stabilised cholesteric texture
• helical twisting power
• electro-optical property
• polymer network

Funding

This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 61107014, 51203039, 2120417]; Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University [grant number NCET-12-0839]; National Basic Research Program of China [grant number 2012CB723406]; National High Technology Research and Development Program of China [grant number 2012AA011901].