A novel surface anchoring transition in photopolymerized polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films
- AT&T Bell Labs., Murray Hill, NJ (United States)
Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films are composed of micron-size drops of liquid crystal in a polymeric matrix. They can be switched with an electric field from a scattering to a transparent state, and are of interest for use in flat-panel displays. The electro-optical properties of PDLC films are strongly influenced by the surface anchoring at the drop surfaces. To understand the role of surface anchoring, we studied the temperature-dependent electro-optics of photo-polymerized PDLC films composed of a liquid crystal and alkyl acrylates. With several alkyl acrylate matrix materials, the nematic director field undergoes a reversible, temperature-driven transition, accompanied by dramatic changes in electro-optics. Surface anchoring is sensitive to the side group of the acrylate used, in a way that can be rationalized by previous studies of anchoring at alkyl brush surfaces. Surface anchoring in the PDLC films is also very sensitive to the composition of the PDLC film mixture, and other parameters of film preparation. How the anchoring transition can be used to understand the role of internal drop structure on PDLC film scattering power will be described.
- OSTI ID:
- 370882
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960376-; TRN: 96:003805-0944
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Spring national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), New Orleans, LA (United States), 24-28 Mar 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of 211th ACS national meeting; PB: 2284 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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