Abstract
ABSTRACT The reflection bandwidth of polymer-stabilised cholesteric liquid-crystals (PSCLCs), with negative dielectric-anisotropy, can be broadened by applying a direct-current (DC) electric field. This class of materials is particularly interesting for its use in displays, optical storages, tunable lasers, or energy-conserving windows. The transient- and steady – currents across PSCLCs under DC voltages can be used to study the spatial distribution of charged bodies and the motion of the polymer network. Our results indicate that the shielding effect of both the electric double layers (EDLs) and alignment layers is the main reason for voltage loss. The electric-field threshold for reflection-band broadening decreases to 0.05 V/μm after the alignment layers were removed, and the power consumption also drops by nearly tenfold. This study helps to improve the fabrication of energy-saving devices and to explore new ways to improve PSCLCs.
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