Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Materials Research Articles

Volume holographic image storage and electro-optical readout in a polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal film

We report storage and electrical switching of holographic image data in an economical polymer-dispersed liquidcrystal material. The hologram is recorded in a fast, single-step process and can be reversibly erased and restored repeatedly by the application of fields of approximately 10-15 V/ microm, with a response time of 22 micros and a relaxation time of 42 micros. Simple (quasi-sinusoidal) holographic transmission gratings also are studied with switching fields of <5 V/ microm and with response and relaxation times of 25 and 44 micros, respectively.

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device for projection high definition television application

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) is a light scattering material that operates on the principle of electrically modulating the refractive index of the liquid crystal in an optical isotropic, transparent solid. The principle of operation of the PDLC device, the interface requirements between PDLC material and its driving circuit are studied. For high definition television (HDTV) application, a detailed comparison of PDLC vs. twisted nematic/super twisted nematic (TN/STN) display devices will be discussed. It was found that single crystal metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) is better than conventionally used thin film transistor (TFT) in driving these PDLC light valves.

Molecular Motion Analysis of E7 in PDLCs as a Function of Droplet Size Using Solid-State 13C NMR Relaxation Spectroscopy

13C NMR relaxation spectroscopy as applied to polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) provides a method for measuring the molecular motions of the liquid crystal molecules within droplets dispersed throughout the material's polymer matrix. Because liquid crystal molecular motion may play a major role in the switching phenomenon of PDLC materials from an opaque film to a clear film, both T1 and T1ρ relaxation experiments are used to measure molecular mobility of the liquid crystal as a function of droplet size for PDLC materials made of E7 and epoxy. The segmental molecular motions measured by T1ρ relaxation show a significant dependence on liquid crystal droplet size. Three models are provided which explain the observed restriction in segmental mobility of the liquid crystal molecules as the droplet size decreases and the polymer/liquid crystal interaction increases.

Molecular Motion Analysis of 5CB in PDLCs Using Solid-State 13C NMR Relaxation Spectroscopy

In samples of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs), submicron droplets of liquid crystal reside within a polymer matrix. By the use of the cross polarization technique for solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy, the NMR spectrum of the liquid crystal can be obtained without interference from the polymer spectrum, even though the two materials have some similar chemical structures. Both 13C T1 and 13C T1 ρ relaxation experiments were performed on a PDLC system of 5CB in epoxy as a function of 5CB domain size. The 13C T1 relaxation constants and the localized motions they measure showed no significant change over the liquid crystal domain size studied. However, the 13C T1 ρ relaxation constants and the segmental motions of molecules they measure revealed a significant change over the liquid crystal domain size studied. Therefore, the 13C T1 ρ values can be used to determine the change in mobility of the molecular segments of the SCB molecules resulting from increased interaction between the liquid crystal and the polymer matrix and to further understand the importance of the molecular motions of the liquid crystal in the switching phenomenon for PDLC materials.

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals for Display Application

Abstract An overview of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) materials, their physical properties, and potential applications in the optic and electrooptic industry is presented. These optoelectronic materials have unique properties which are expected to expand liquid crystal technology into new display and light shutter applications. Recent research by small and large industrial and university laboratories on device physics and chemistry has provided substantial progress towards the commercialization of these materials. Work to date on such features as response times, switching voltage, and contrast as well as material preparation procedures and unique optical characteristics will be reviewed. These materials are also of interest to basic physics because of new kinds of physical phenomena brought on by the confinement of a nematic liquid crystal to small submicron-size droplets. Enhanced surface-to-volume ratio, large nematic deformations and problems associated with molecular anchoring at a polymer w...

Phase Separation of Liquid Crystals in Polymers

Abstract New optoelectronic materials based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) show great potential for application in displays, temperature sensors, optical computing and for solar energy control. We report liquid crystal, termoset or thermoplastic materials. PDLC materials may be formed by several different processes. The liquid crystal may be dissolved in low molecular weight polymer precursors, in a thermoplastic melt or with a thermoplastic in a common solvent. Subsequent polymerization, cooling of the polymer melt or solvent evaporation lead to liquid crystal immiscibility, droplet formation and growth, and polymer gelation. The optoelectronic properties of these materials are affected by the droplet morphology. Specific examples are presented for each of these processes and it is demonstrated how the droplet morphology and density, and thus device performance, can be controlled by each method. The thermoplestics are suitable for forming films by a variety of techniques. A range of polymers...