Tuesday, 4 July 2006 - 12:00 AM
DEVIP-28

Polymer stabilized bimesogenic mixtures for improved flexoelectro-optic devices

Colin J. K. Evans, Steve M. Morris, Ben J. Broughton, and Harry J. Coles. Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, 9, JJ Thompson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, United Kingdom

We present results on the fast-switching flexoelectro-optic response of high tilt bimesogenic liquid crystal mixtures. The tilt angles of these mixtures are shown to be high enough for full intensity modulation between crossed polarizers (φ > 22.5°) and in single polarizer devices (φ > 45°) at relatively low fields of the order of 2 V/μm and 5 V/μm, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum tilt angles that were observed were φ > 80°. In addition, the ULH texture required for flexoelectro-optic switching is polymer stabilized by adding a small quantity (~3 wt%) of a reactive mesogen to the mixture. Polymer stabilization has the effect of “pinning” the chiral nematic helix pitch thus reducing the temperature dependence of the tilt angle. However, the response time still exhibits a significant variation with temperature due to the viscosity. It is found that by curing at low temperatures, so as to obtain a long pitch, and operating at higher temperatures, it is possible to combine large tilt angles with fast response times.

See more of Posters - Devices and applications
See more of Technical Program

See more of The 21st International Liquid Crystal Conference (July 2 -- 7, 2006)