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Bistable switching of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals between transparent and scattering modes

  • Polymers/Soft Matter Research Letter
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Abstract

We report on the ability to switch an optical material composed of a polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (polymer stabilized cholesteric texture, PSCT) between stable transparent (reflective) and scattering modes. The degree of scattering is controllable with the strength of the applied electric field. The mechanism for bistable switching of the PSCT is distinguished from prior examinations by employing electromechanical displacement of a stabilizing polymer network. The stable transparent (reflective) or scattering modes are induced with a variety of driving schemes employing both alternating and direct current fields. The relative degree of scattering can be varied to allow for grayscale control potentially useful in smart window and display applications.

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Acknowledgment

We acknowledge funding from the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 45433-7750, USA

    Kyung Min Lee, Vincent P. Tondiglia & Timothy J. White

  2. Azimuth Corporation, 4027 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, Ohio, 45431, USA

    Kyung Min Lee

  3. Leidos, 3745 Pentagon Boulevard, Beavercreek, Ohio, 45431, USA

    Vincent P. Tondiglia

Authors
  1. Kyung Min Lee
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  2. Vincent P. Tondiglia
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  3. Timothy J. White
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Correspondence to Timothy J. White.

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Lee, K.M., Tondiglia, V.P. & White, T.J. Bistable switching of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals between transparent and scattering modes. MRS Communications 5, 223–227 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2015.40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2015.40

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