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Influence of curing temperature and high birefringence on the properties of polymer-stabilized liquid crystals

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Abstract

We report the curing temperature effect on the performance of polymer-stabilized liquid crystals at λ=1550 nm. The curing temperature in the polymerization process is found to make a significant impact on the light scattering efficiency, hysteresis, operating voltage, and response time. Using a high birefringence liquid crystal mixture, we have improved the device contrast ratio while keeping low operating voltage, and fast response time. Potential applications of such a PSLC for light shutters, variable optical attenuators, and switchable polarizers are emphasized.

©2003 Optical Society of America

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Figures (4)

Fig. 1
Fig. 1 The reflective experimental setup for measuring the properties of the E44 PSLC cells
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2. The curing temperature dependent attenuation of the reflective E44 PSLC cell. Cell gap d=16µm, monomer concentration 4 wt%, laser wavelength λ=1.55µm and measurement temperature T=23 °C.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3. Curing temperature dependent (a) hysteresis and (b) response time of the E44 PSLC cell containing 4% monomer concentration. Cell gap d=16 µm. The measurements were taken at λ=1.55µm and T=23°C. The rise (dots) and decay time (open circles) were measured between V=0 and the corresponding driving voltage shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4. The voltage-dependent optical attenuation of the reflective 16µm E44-2 PSLC cell containing 4 wt% monomer. Cure temperature T=55°C, operating temperature T=23 °C, and λ=1.55 µm.

Tables (2)

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Table 1. The LC molecular structures, phase transition temperatures and birefringence of the isothiocyanato tolanes used for enhancing E44’s birefringence. K and I represent the crystalline and isotropic phase, respectively. Δn is the extrapolated birefringence at room temperature and λ=633 nm

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Table 2. Comparisons of E44, E44-1 and E44-2 PSLC cells with 4 wt% monomer, 16µm cell gap, laser wavelength λ=1.55 µm, curing temperature T=55 °C, and measured at temperature T=23 °C

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