Computational chemistry modeling and design of photoswitchable alignment materials for optically addressable liquid crystal devices

K. L. Marshall; E. R. Sekera; K. Xiao

doi:10.1117/12.2188287

5 September 2015 Computational chemistry modeling and design of photoswitchable alignment materials for optically addressable liquid crystal devices

K. L. Marshall, E. R. Sekera, K. Xiao

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9565, Liquid Crystals XIX; 95650T (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188287
Event: SPIE Organic Photonics + Electronics, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Photoalignment technology based on optically switchable “command surfaces” has been receiving increasing interest for liquid crystal optics and photonics device applications. Azobenzene compounds in the form of low-molar-mass, watersoluble salts deposited either directly on the substrate surface or after dispersion in a polymer binder have been almost exclusively employed for these applications, and ongoing research in the area follows a largely empirical materials design and development approach. Recent computational chemistry advances now afford unprecedented opportunities to develop predictive capabilities that will lead to new photoswitchable alignment layer materials with low switching energies, enhanced bistability, write/erase fatigue resistance, and high laser-damage thresholds. In the work described here, computational methods based on the density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory were employed to study the impact of molecular structure on optical switching properties in photoswitchable methacrylate and acrylamide polymers functionalized with azobenzene and spiropyran pendants.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

K. L. Marshall, E. R. Sekera, and K. Xiao "Computational chemistry modeling and design of photoswitchable alignment materials for optically addressable liquid crystal devices", Proc. SPIE 9565, Liquid Crystals XIX, 95650T (5 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188287

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available