Electro‐optical properties of holographically patterned polymer‐stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals

Abstract

Electro‐optical properties of cholesteric liquid crystals (LCs) with holographically patterned polymer stabilization were examined. It is hypothesized that increasing the LC domain size in a single dimension, relative to a random three‐dimensional network of LC pockets separated by polymer strands, will allow enhanced electro‐optical properties of the final device. Prior to holographic patterning, polymer stabilization with large elastic memory was generated by way of high irradiation intensities and optimized material choices. High irradiation intensities are required for the holographic patterning process to maintain polymer layer formation. At optimized conditions, polymer patterning of the stabilization allowed for an approximate 20% increase in the clear state transmission of the device, and allowed for an approximate 3 V µm⁻¹ reduction in the overall switching voltage as compared to an analogous floodlit irradiated sample. Switching times were increased at most threefold with holographic patterning, but all relaxation times were below 20 ms. The enhanced electro‐optical properties appear to stem from a single dimension domain size increase, which allows for a reduction in the LC/polymer interaction.

Acknowledgements

The authors of this paper would like to acknowledge AFOSR/NL, the Strategic Partnership for Research in Nanotechnology (SPRING), and AFRL for the support of this project.