Dependence of Polymer-Stabilized Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals on Photocuring Condition

Abstract

Polymer-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals may show monostable and V-shaped electrooptical characteristics. We have investigated the dependence of their characteristics on the photocuring condition, especially ultraviolet light intensity. Furthermore, we offer a new scheme of the photocure being done under an electroclinic effect. The bistability of ferroelectric liquid crystals remains partially in the case of a weak ultraviolet light intensity and the saturation voltage increases as the ultraviolet light intensity increases. The tilt angle decreases as the ultraviolet light intensity increases. The decrease of tilt angle cannot be suppressed even in polymer-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals fabricated using the electroclinic effect.

Keywords:

• Electroclinic effect
• ferroelectric liquid crystal
• photocure
• polymer stabilization
• tilt angle

Acknowledgment

This research was supported by the MEXT Knowledge Cluster Project.

The authors thank Dr. H. Takatsu, Dr. H. Hasebe, Dr. K. Maruyama, and Dr. I. Nishiyama of DIC for supplying FLC and photocurable mesogenic materials. We also thank Mr. H. Fukuro and Mr. H. Endoh of Nissan Chem. Ind. for supplying polyimide materials.