Cholesteric gels formed by LC molecules and their use in optical storage

Abstract

Two-component liquid crystalline (LC) mixtures containing LC diacrylates and chiral molecules with no reactive groups were made. Upon photopolymerization of the mixtures cholestric networks containing LC molecules which were not chemically attached to the networks were created. By heating, molecules which were not chemically attached to the network could be removed leaving behind a three dimensional network with a helical structure containing no chiral molecules and changed optical properties. The changes in the optical properties of the system could also be induced locally using a laser beam, demonstrating the possibility of using the method for optical storage.