Dye-doped Liquid Crystal Research Articles

Generation of arbitrarily patterned polarizers using 2-photon polymerization

Patterned polarizers are prepared using liquid crystals (LC) doped with a black dichroic dye and in combination with a linear polarizer. The pattern is achieved with a nanostructured LC alignment surface, that is generated using a two-photon polymerization direct laser write (2PP-DLW). This technique creates a pattern of high-resolution grooves in the photoresist at any arbitrary angle. The angle governs the LC orientation at any substrate surface point, determining the transmitted light linear polarization angle. This paper presents the first use of a 2PP-DLW cured positive tone photoresist for dichroic dye-doped LC alignment. Two complementary photoresists have been employed: conventional negative tone SU-8 photoresist and, in this context novel, positive tone S1805 photoresist. The alignment quality of the polarizers has been assessed by analyzing the transmission using an additional polarizer. For SU-8, the resulting grayscale pattern and a contrast ratio (CR) of 14 has measured. The uniformity of the alignment has been measured to be 65% using normalized Shannon entropy (H). For S1805, a CR of 37 was measured, and a uniformity of 63% was obtained. 2PP-DLW allows for shaping complex patterns in submicron dimensions and for the fabrication of arbitrarily patterned polarizers and other LC devices.

In-situ homeotropic alignment of dye doped liquid crystal molecules on multilayered self assembled nanoparticles in confined cells for next generation display devices

The in-situ homeotropic alignment (HA) of pure liquid crystal (LC) and dye doped LC molecules was prepared on the multilayered self assembled silica nanoparticles (SNPs) deposited on the substrates in a confined empty ITO cell. The LC and azo dye mixtures with (0.0625–0.5 wt%) concentrations show the uniform in-situ HA of nematic LC (NLC) over SNPs coated surface. The surface morphology with mapping of elements and functionality of the SNPs coated ITO glass substrate were confirmed by “field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM)” and “X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)”. Polarized optical microscopic textures and conoscopic view of pure and dye doped LC mixtures in SNPs coated confined cells, confirmed the HA of LC molecules and exhibited the uniform black textures under crossed polarizers. The electro-optic behaviour of dye doped homeotropically aligned LC (HALC) cells was compared to pure SNPs coated HALC cell. The results showed that on increasing the azo dye concentration (0.0625–0.25 wt%), the threshold (Vth) and operating (Vo) voltages were found decreased. However, on further increase of dye concentration to 0.5 wt%, Vth and Vo were observed relatively increased. The contrast ratio (CR) was found improved in dye doped HALCs with maximum CR at lowest dye concentration (0.0625 wt%). The UV results exhibit higher absorbance of the dye doped HALC cells with increasing the dye concentration. Also, the band gap values showed that the addition of even small amount of dye, it reduced the value of band gap in HALC cell.

Enhanced security through dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal shells for anti-counterfeiting

We explored the application of fluorescent dye doped Cholesteric Liquid Crystal (CLC) shells for anti-counterfeiting measures. These shells exhibit unique optical properties and, when infused with a fluorescent dye, produce a distinct fluorescent color upon exposure to UV light. We developed a microfluidic device using glass capillaries to generate uniform CLC shells. The shells were analyzed using a Polarizing Optical Microscope (POM) to study their defect structures. For anti-counterfeiting, QR code was encoded with CLC shells that were photopolymerized under ultraviolet light for enhanced durability. In daylight, the code reflects red and blue colors, but under UV light, it reveals the fluorescent dye color. This QR code can only be decrypted with UV illumination in both red and blue CLC shells. The color changes are easily visible to the naked eye, making this technique suitable for immediate verification. By utilizing this straightforward technique, security and chromic-based applications can be implemented with significantly increased cost-effectiveness and efficiency, surpassing the results of traditional approaches.

Transmittance spectra expression for dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal with large optical activity

ABSTRACT Dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals (DDCLCs) with a homeotropic initial state are more practical due to their lower power consumption and higher security. However, achieving the homeotropic initial state necessitates the use of long-pitch DDCLCs. The conventional formula for determining the planar (P) state transmittance of DDCLCs is inadequate for calculating the P state transmittance of long-pitch DDCLCs with pronounced optical activity. Therefore, in the experimental calculations and fitting, optical activity was introduced to amend the conventional formula and expand the calculation range to include visible wavelengths (400 nm-800 nm). Following numerous validations, a modified formula for calculating the P-state transmittance of DDCLCs was derived, which yields results closer to the actual values when optical activity is significant. This modification is of great significance in the design of long-pitch DDCLCs.

Effect of High-Index Nanoparticles on the Emission Properties of a Dye-Doped Blue Phase Liquid Crystal

Effect of High-Index Nanoparticles on the Emission Properties of a Dye-Doped Blue Phase Liquid Crystal

Modeling and optimization strategies for dye-doped super twisted nematic liquid crystal light valves

This study provides a comprehensive investigation of dye-doped super twisted nematic liquid crystal (DDSTNLC) with the aim of uncovering its potential applications. Using design of experiments (DoE) techniques, we elucidated the relationships between physical variables and constructed a transmission model. We then used Monte Carlo simulations to demonstrate the potential applications of DDSTNLC in various optical performances, including high light transmittance and contrast ratio. The investigation combining the modeling and DoE paves the way for advancing progress in the development of DDSTNLC-based light valves.

Thermal control band-edge lasing toward near IR from dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal: Relatively stable operation at high temperatures

The exceptional band-edge lasing from dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals (DD-CLCs), which can be easily fabricated by blending chiral molecules with nematic liquid crystals, showcases versatile tuning possibilities. In this work, we employed (ISO-(6OBA)2) with high helical twisting power (HTP) as the chiral molecule in the fabrication of DD-CLCs, ensuring superior tuning possibilities and operational stability at high temperatures. By thermally controlling DD-CLCs with a 5 wt% chiral molecule, the band-edge lasing peak exhibited a noticeable red shift with increasing temperature, demonstrating a tuning range of 106 nm as the temperature rose from 20 to 90 °C. In operation at 78 °C, the longest lasing peak of 692.7 nm was achieved from DD-CLCs with 4 wt% ISO-(6OBA)2. Furthermore, the long-term stability of band-edge lasing from DD-CLCs was proven during a three-hour monitoring period at a high operating temperature above 50 °C.

Smart beam via electrically addressing the dye-doped and polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals

Smart beam via electrically addressing the dye-doped and polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals

Electrically Tunable Two-Color Cholesteric Laser.

Two-color lasing emission from an asymmetric structure, consisting of two dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal (DD-CLC) layers separated by a transparent interlayer, is demonstrated. The DD-CLC mixtures have different reflection bands with long-wavelength band edges located at the green and red wavelengths of the visible spectrum, respectively. For the laser action, the CLC hosts provide the feedback, and the fluorescent laser dyes represent the active medium. When the stacked structure is optically pumped above the threshold, two simultaneous laser lines separated by 123 nm are observed at the long-wavelength band edges of the DD-CLC mixtures. The influence of an electric field on lasing behavior is also analyzed and discussed in terms of the reflection spectrum and laser action. The results show a reversible tuning of the reflection band, accompanied by a modification of the lasing characteristics under the application of an external field. Above a specific threshold voltage, one of the emission lines is suppressed and the other is conserved. With a further increase in the voltage, both laser emissions are entirely inhibited. The investigated structure demonstrates a simple technique to obtain an electrically tunable multi-wavelength laser, which might pave the way for a new generation of organic laser sources.

Examining Energy Storage Potential in Weakly Polar Nematic Liquid Crystals Infused with Anthraquinone Dye: A Comprehensive Approach

The applications of liquid crystals in the field of renewable, clean and sustainable technologies of energy storage are of utmost importance at present. This paper delves into dielectric spectroscopic studies of a weakly polar nematic liquid crystal (NLC) enriched with an anthraquinone dye. The primary objective is to assess the impact of increasing dye concentrations on various properties. Anthraquinone dye has been found to increase the dielectric permittivity of weakly polar NLC, leading to a 4.7-fold increase in dielectric anisotropy. Simultaneously, a reduction of around 11% in threshold and operating voltages of the NLC has also been recorded after using dye as the guest material. The added dipolar contributions provided by dye molecules have been attributed to this surplus permittivity. The NLC has been found to have an approximately 54% faster response to the applied field. The intrinsic polarization field of dye molecules accelerates nearby LC molecule reorientation, leading to a 56.5% faster fall time and a 29.8% faster rise time in a 3.0 wt% dye-doped LC cell. These experimental results have been validated via computational studies as well. The simulation results about dipole moment and polarizability provide robust support for our experimental results. Such composites evince their potential for energy storage and 5G communication technologies with adjustable impedance and permittivity.

Polymer-stabilized fast-relaxation dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals with a wide temperature range by thiol-Michael addition polymerization

The transient planar (TP) state during the relaxation process, from homeotropic (H) to planar (P) state, of dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals (DDCLCs) can be eliminated by adjusting the elastic constants, reducing the time and haze of the relaxation process. However, the elastic constants are easily influenced by temperature. Therefore, the operating temperature range for fast-relaxation DDCLCs is relatively narrow. This work demonstrates that a polymer helical template can be formed in the P state of DDCLCs by thiol-Michael addition polymerization. It can significantly expand the temperature range from 20 °C to 60 °C for fast-relaxation DDCLCs. More importantly, polymer-stabilized dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals (PS-DDCLCs) did not show any reduction in the absorption of the dye or discoloration after polymerization. PS-DDCLCs could still achieve tri-state switching and could be used for fast-relaxation smart windows capable of adapting to increasing environmental temperatures. The proposed smart window can be used in vehicles and aircraft to prevent glare and protect privacy.

Electrically tunable thermoresponsive optic switch for smart window application based on dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal

We demonstrate a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) smart window that functions as a reversible thermo-optic switch between a transparent state at a low temperature and a low-transmission state at a higher temperature. This smart window is based on the addition of a thermoresponsive handedness-reversible chiral dopant in a mixture of a typical chiral dopant, a dichroic dye and nematic liquid crystal, yielding a thermosensitized CLC. In such a homeotropically anchored dye-doped CLC, the thickness-to-pitch ratio increases as the temperature rises, causing the device to switch from the homeotropic texture to the fingerprint texture. The absorption characteristic of the dichroic dye enables the homeotropic and fingerprint configurations in the dye-doped CLC to create two distinct transmission levels—the transparent and opaque optically stable states, respectively. Such a switching mechanism entails no additional electric power and, thus, is energy-saving. Moreover, the switching temperature at which the texture transition takes place can be actively increased by increasing voltage for the smart window. This allows the CLC device to be perfectly adaptable to the need of a user and, in turn, applicable to a wider variety of environments.

Colored PDLC Films with Wide Gamut Range

Due to the discoloration properties under different applied voltages, dye-doped polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films are widely used as camouflage nets and invisibility cloaks. However, the range of the discoloration has an intuitive effect on their applications. In this work, we studied the gamut range of PDLC film doped with dyes of red, green, blue, and yellow, with the concentration corresponding to the minimum haze of these dyes. The influence of the applied voltage on the color range of single-layer and double-layer films with different backgrounds was studied. The relationship of the voltage with the color was set from 0 V to 60 V at steps of 5 V, to characterize the discoloration of the PDLC films. The results showed that the films could cover 42.48% of the sRGB gamut and even exceed the range.

Multi-stable dye-doped dual-frequency twisted nematic liquid crystal smart window.

In this study, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, dye-doped dual-frequency liquid crystal multi-stable smart window is proposed. A chiral dopant with appropriate content was introduced into dye-doped dual-frequency liquid crystals to achieve an initial 180° twisted state. These liquid crystals can be switched to a nematic phase or a 360° twisted state by controlling the magnitude and frequency of the applied voltage. These nematic phase and 360° twisted states can exist stably for a long time because of the backflow effect and the anisotropic nature of the dual-frequency liquid crystal material. Due to the optical waveguide effect of dye-doped liquid crystals in the long-pitch state, the transmittance was different in nematic phase, 180°, and 360° twisted three zero-field stabilized absorption states. Finally, a multi-stable smart window is developed to switch between three zero-field stabilized absorption and scattering states.

Energy saving, transparency changing thermochromism in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals for smart windows

An electrically switchable smart window is made from a dye-doped Cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC). In this work, the impact of coumarin dye (0.3 and 1 wt%) on the structural and electro-optical properties of CLCs that reflect IR and blue light (Blue) was explored. The results suggest that high transmittance in Visible and NIR useful to preserve interior transmittance as well as heat suited for all seasons. Temperature-dependent microscopic studies confirmed the homogenous solubility of the dye in CLCs. The fabricated smart window was observed to show three switchable modes, comprising planar (P), focal-conic (FC), and homeotropic (H) states, depending on the applied voltages (1 kHz). The structural observations from microscopic studies and the transmission spectra of pure and dye-doped composites with and without the application of voltage are consistent. The visual transmittance of dye doped CLC increased from 84% in the planar state (OFF state) to 18% in the focal conic state (3 V/µm) and 92% in the homeotropic state (5 V/µm) with a short response time (<1ms). Using dye and CLCs, we demonstrated the functionality of the device as smart windows for energy saving, privacy windows as well as for authenticated/unauthenticated QR codes. To investigate the impact of both pure CLC and dye-doped CLC devices on interior temperature management, a solar simulator device was used. The findings demonstrate that the device can be used as a smart window to regulate the internal temperature throughout the year, cutting down on the expense of operating artificial lighting, heating, and cooling systems for buildings. In comparison to pure CLCs, coumarin dye-doped CLCs showed high transmittance in the transparent and homeotropic state and a low transmittance in the scattering state when an electric field is applied and it also exhibited a good stability over repeated switching cycles.

Lasing behavior of a nematic liquid crystal microdroplet depending on the irradiation position

This paper reports the random lasing and whispering gallery mode (WGM) lasing in dye-doped nematic liquid crystal (NLC) droplets. We discuss the emission behavior of the droplets in detail. Their lasing behavior depends on irradiation position and droplet diameter. Moreover, the two types of lasers likely share energy. Naturally, stopping one increases the efficiency of the other. Besides, the coexistence of the two types of lasers in an NLC droplet offers a controllable dye laser emitting two lights in different wavelength ranges.

Fluorescent Dye-Doped Brightening Polymer-Stabilized Bistable Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Films.

Brightening polymer-stabilized bistable cholesteric liquid crystal (PSBCLC) films with doped fluorescent dyes were prepared using the polymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS) method. The transmittance performance behavior of these films in both states (focal conic and planar) and absorbance change in multiple dye concentrations were studied using a UV/VIS/NIR spectrophotometer. The change occurring in dye dispersion morphology with different concentrations was obtained by means of the polarizing optical microscope. The maximum fluorescence intensity of different dye-doped PSBCLC films was measured using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Moreover, the contrast ratios and driving voltages of these films were calculated and recorded to demonstrate film performance. Finally, the optimal concentration of dye-doped PSBCLC films with a high contrast ratio and a relatively low drive voltage was found. This is expected to have great potential applications in cholesteric liquid crystal reflective displays.

P‐12.14: Factors Affecting the Energy Saving Rate of Dye‐doped Liquid Crystal Smart Window in Office Buildings

The building energy consumption and energy saving rate in office buildings with Dye‐doped liquid crystal (DLC) smart window under the change of region, window‐wall ratio and orientation were simulated by DeST‐C. The results indicated that the energy saving rate of DLC smart window increased with the rising proportion of cooling load in different regions: Harbin &lt; Beijing &lt; Shanghai &lt; Guangzhou. When DLC smart window was used in Shanghai, the energy saving rate increased with the increase of window‐wall ratio. Moreover, DLC smart window in different orientations generally resulted in different energy saving rate: North &lt; South&lt; East &lt;West.

Effect of dye on frequency and bias voltage-dependent electrical parameters of a nematic liquid crystal

The dielectric characteristics of pure and dye-doped (aniline blue dye) nematic liquid crystals at room temperature by altering the bias voltage and frequency have been reported in the present work. The HP-4194A impedance gain phase analyser was used to assist with the measurements of the dielectric properties. It has been discovered that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss both drop when dye is doped in liquid crystal. When bias voltage is increased, it has also been found that the dielectric anisotropy grows quickly up to 6.0 V bias voltage, after which its increase steadily.

Concentric ring patterns beyond Turing instability

Various out-of-equilibrium physical systems exhibit concentric ring patterns. However, these patterns are expected to be unstable due to the interaction of spatial modes. Here, we show that concentric ring patterns are stable beyond Turing instability. Based on a prototype pattern forming model, we show that these solutions are stable and identify the main ingredients for their stability: curvature, characteristic wavelength, and bistability. We further characterize the propagation of stable concentric ring patterns. Experimentally, we observe stable concentric ring patterns in an illuminated dye-doped liquid crystal cell with sufficiently high intensity. The formation of the concentric rings is in agreement with our predicted theoretical findings.Received 4 November 2022Accepted 11 January 2023DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.L012007Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.Published by the American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasLiquid crystal phase transitionsPattern formationNonlinear Dynamics