Abstract
Liquid crystal blue phases have a fluid lattice whose structure is stabilized by cubic defects. Blue phases, which are classified as BPIII, BPII and BPI observed on cooling, exist over a small temperature range (ca. 1 K) between isotropic and chiral nematic phases. Recently, we reported electro-optical switching with a response time of the order of 10−2 s for the BPIII exhibited by a polar chiral T-shaped compound. We describe molecular design of a liquid crystal stabilizing a blue phase III, and discuss electro-optical switching in the blue phase.
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