Electrochromic devices have found widespread use in automotive, aerospace, and architectural implementations. This talk will detail our recent research of liquid crystalline compositions in which the selective reflection can be tuned, broadened, and switched by mechanical, thermal, or electrical stimuli. Enabled by the modularity of the formulation of the cholesteric liquid crystal phase, filters can be prepared throughout the electromagnetic spectrum (VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR).
Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) have a self-assembled helicoidal structure that results in vibrant reflective colors. These chiral nematic materials can be stabilized by in-situ photopolymerization of reactive liquid crystal monomers present in the CLC mixture to form so-called polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PS-CLC’s). These PSCLCs exhibit several novel electric field driven optical responses, including color changing and spectral bandwidth changes. This changes are associated with electrical deformations of the polymer network and the surrounding liquid crystals response to the network deformations. Here we present our recent results in this area, including work to elucidate the mechanistic details of the electrically driven response and our application of this mechanism to other liquid crystals.
The cholesteric liquid crystalline (CLC) phase self-organizes into a periodic structure and in the planar orientation, exhibits a selective reflection. These materials are widely considered for applications in optics and photonics, including emerging applications in immersive displays. Polymerization of a small concentration of monomer can stabilize the CLC phase (polymer stabilized CLC, or PSCLC). We have recently been exploring an ion-mediated mechanism to displace the polymer stabilizing network. It is well known that liquid crystal mixtures retain ions such as Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, and Al3+. These ions can negatively impact the performance of liquid crystal devices (response time, image sticking, color staining, and voltage holding ratio). However, these impurities can be leveraged in this mechanism. Accordingly, this presentation reports that the preparation of polymer stabilizing networks with rational incorporation of ion-trapping groups, such as 4-acryloxyterpyridine (TPy-Ac), 4-((6-(Acryloyl)oxy)benzoic-15-crown-5-ether (OBA-15C5), and 4-((6-(Acryloyl)oxy)benzoic-18-crown-6-ether (OBA-18C6). The polar nature of these comonomers can capture transition and alkali metal ions. This presentation will detail the ion-material coupling and the resulting impact on electro-optic performance.
The Cholesteric Liquid Crystalline (CLC) phase self-organizes into a helicoidal structure that results in periodic, hierarchical organization of the LC director creating a 1-D photonic bandgap exhibiting selective reflection. We explore electrical reconfiguration of fully solid CLC elastomers (CLCEs) as dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). Application of an electric field causes a hypsochromic shift in the reflection resulting in a tunable electro-optic device. The electromechanical response (Maxwell stresses) in this system results in fast switching speeds, localized control, and reversible tuning. We further show how manipulation of the elastomer network has a large effect on the tunability of the electro-optic response.
Thin film holographic liquid crystal gratings are of great interest due to their controllable photonic properties. Holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) with a polymer concentration of 40-90% is an example of a system where nonuniform irradiation is used to template alternating polymer-rich and polymer-poor regions with a periodicity related to the illumination wavelength. Here, we present a tunable holographic polymer stabilized liquid crystal (H-PSLC) reflection grating using a relatively small amount of polymer (6-20 wt%). Switching behavior from transparent to reflective state will be discussed by heating or applying an AC field. Heating above the isotropic temperature of the polymer-poor regions leads to the refractive index mismatch between the ordered LC polymer-rich regions and the disordered isotropic polymer-poor. Alternatively, the application of an AC field can be used as an Ohmic heat source to induce the thermal color change.
Electrochromic devices have found widespread use in automotive, aerospace, and architectural implementations. This talk will detail our recent research of liquid crystalline compositions in which the selective reflection can be tuned, broadened, and switched. This distinctive electro-optic control is enabled by polymer stabilization of the cholesteric liquid crystal phase. Enabled by recent advancements in the preparation of liquid crystalline elastomers, we also detail the thermal and electrical adjustment of reflection in fully solid optical elements.
Cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) is a one-dimensional photonic crystal and is promising for various applications, including smart windows, optical components, and displays. Previous work has reported that polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) have shown dynamic photonic properties with the application of direct current (DC) field, including bandwidth broadening, switchable scattering, red tuning and blue tuning. Recently, PSCLCs have been prepared upon exposure of a 363.8 nm Argon laser, and higher order diffraction peaks, such as the second and/or third order diffraction peaks, are observed. The higher order reflection bands are caused by the deformed helical structure of the polymer stabilizing network formed during the exposure of a single laser beam or under reflection grating conditions. The spectral position of the second-order reflection band, which is half the spectral position of the main CLC reflection band, is simply adjusted by chiral dopant concentrations in the CLC mixture. The selective main and higher order reflection notches can be red-tuned and broadened by the application of DC fields. A potential mechanism for higher order diffraction peaks in the PSCLCs will be discussed.
As previously reported, direct current (DC) electric field can be used to control the photonic properties of polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) with negative dielectric anisotropy, such as the position and bandwidth modulation of the selective reflection notch. This dynamic EO response of PSCLCs is explained by the field-induced deformation of the polymer stabilized networks mediated by ionic charges trapped in the polymer networks. In this poster, we report the effect of cell thickness on electro-optic response for relatively thin PSCLC samples (≤5 μm). Increasing the DC field strength shifts the reflection notch to longer wavelength (red shifting tuning) and eventually disappears at high DC fields. The tuning range is dependent on the cell thickness. The reversible transition from reflective to clear state is due to an electrically driven chirp in the pitch across the small cell gap.
Previous work has reported that polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) have shown dynamic photonic properties with the application of direct current (DC) field, including bandwidth broadening, switchable scattering, red tuning and blue tuning. Recently, we have prepared holographic polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals reflection gratings (H-PSCLCs). High order diffraction peaks, such as the second or/and third order diffraction peaks, are observed from the H-PSCLC samples written with a 363.8 nm Argon laser. The higher order reflection bands are caused by the deformed helical structure of the polymer stabilizing network formed under reflection grating conditions. The spectral position of the second-order reflection band is simply adjusted by chiral dopant concentrations in the CLC mixture. The selective main and higher order reflection notches can be red-tuned and broadened by the application of DC fields.
Electrochromic devices have found widespread use in automotive, aerospace, and architectural implementations. Electrical control of the absorption of metallic or polymeric materials can result in transmission swings of more than 50%. This talk will detail our recent research of liquid crystalline compositions in which the selective reflection can be tuned, broadened, and switched. This distinctive electro-optic control is enabled by polymer stabilization of the cholesteric liquid crystal phase. Through control of the materials chemistry and polymerization conditions, we will report findings in which we uniquely demonstrate dynamic control of two separate reflective bands in a single element.
This Conference Presentation, Electrically-tunable holographic polymer stabilized liquid-crystal reflection gratings was recorded at Photonics West 2020 held at San Francisco, California, United States.
Holographic reflection gratings formed by photopolymerization of low concentrations of liquid crystal monomers in nematic liquids demonstrate greater than 150nm of red tuning when a direct current (DC) field is applied across standard liquid crystal cell. The band position is restored when the field is removed. Diffraction efficiencies are both polarization and temperature polarization dependent. Samples are prepared using various LC mixtures, formulated from 2wt% photoinitiator, 5~20 wt% liquid crystal monomers and positive dielectric anisotropy liquid crystals. The basic tuning mechanism will be discussed, along with electric field, temperature effects on the optical performance.
Recently, we have prepared holographic reflection gratings in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (H-PSCLCs) prepared by a 365 nm UV laser using a single prism. The H-PSCLC samples are prepared using various CLC mixtures, formulated from 2wt% photoinitiator, 5~20 wt% liquid crystal monomers, chiral dopants, and positive or negative dielectric anisotropy liquid crystals. Higher order reflection peaks, such as the second and third order reflections, are observed from the H-PSCLC samples without application of the electric field. Spectral position and bandwidth of the higher order diffraction peaks in the H-PSCLCs are tuned in blue, green, and red colors by the application of the direct current (DC) field. Tunablity of the higher order reflection band in H-PSCLCs will be discussed.
KEYWORDS: Digital image correlation, Liquid crystals, 3D modeling, Protactinium, Statistical modeling, Control systems, Cameras, Aluminum, Temperature metrology, Analytical research
Surface topography control has use across many applications including delayed separation of flow via selective boundary-layer tripping. Recently, advances with liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) have been leveraged for controlled, repeatable, out-of-plane deformations that could enable these topographical changes. An aligned LCE deforms when heated, associated with a loss in order. Circumferential patterns fabricated through the thickness of the LCE film yield a predictable conical out-of-plane deformation that can control surface topography. This study focuses on the experimental investigation of LCE behavior for flow control. Initially, the deformations of LCE samples 1/2” in diameter and 50 µm thick were characterized using Digital Image Correlation under uniform positive and negative gauge pressures at various temperatures. Surface topography showed strong dependence on boundary conditions, sample dimensions, and pattern location relative to the applied boundary conditions, informing adjustment of the LCE of the chemistry to produce higher modulus and glassy materials. As an initial demonstration of the ability to control flow, Then, to demonstrate the potential for flow control, 3D printed cylinders with varying arrangements of representative topographical features were characterized in a wind tunnel with Particle Image Velocimetry. Results showed that features with a maximum deflection height of 1.5 mm in a two-row arrangement can form an asymmetric wake about a 73 mm diameter cylinder that reduces drag while generating lift. These results inform subsequent investigation of active LCE elements on a cylinder that are currently under examination.
Recently, we reported direct current (DC) field controllable electro-optic (EO) responses of negative dielectric anisotropy polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs). A potential mechanism is: Ions in the liquid crystal mixtures are trapped in/on the polymer network during the fast photopolymerization process, and the movement of ions by the application of the DC field distorts polymer network toward the negative electrode, inducing pitch variation through the cell thickness, i.e., pitch compression on the negative electrode side and pitch expansion on positive electrode side. As the DC voltage is directly applied to a target voltage, charged polymer network is deformed and the reflection band is tuned. Interestingly, the polymer network deforms further (red shift of reflection band) with time when constantly applied DC voltage, illustrating DC field induced time dependent deformation of polymer network (creep-like behavior). This time dependent reflection band changes in PSCLCs are investigated by varying the several factors, such as type and concentration of photoinitiators, liquid crystal monomer content, and curing condition (UV intensity and curing time). In addition, simple linear viscoelastic spring-dashpot models, such as 2-parameter Kelvin and 3-parameter linear models, are used to investigate the time-dependent viscoelastic behaviors of polymer networks in PSCLC.
The thickness of functional layers in liquid crystal photonics devices is negligibly small compared to the substrates. New opportunities provided by multilayer 4G optical systems require minimizing the thickness of each layer. We report about our progress made by developing technology of thin flexible substrates, functional polymer films, solid electro-optical layers, and graphene oxide based electro-conductive coatings.
Recently, we demonstrated large magnitude tuning (1500nm) of reflection band in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) formulated with negative dielectric anisotropy (negative ) liquid crystals with low polymer content (~5% by wt.). Evidence suggests an ionic charge (cation) trapping mechanism by the polymer network which subjects the material system to pitch expansion near the positive electrode and pitch compression near the negative electrode resulting in a nonlinear pitch variation throughout the cell thickness when under the influence of a direct current (DC) field. Thus far this effect has only observed PDLC systems with near zero and negative dielectric anisotropies. In general, the field interaction in systems with negative stabilize the cholesteric structure as the field strength increases while those systems with positive become are dominated by higher fields becoming homeotropic. Here we explore a PSCLC system with a positive that suppresses the Fréedericksz transition to homeotropic at low field strengths allowing for a unique combination of switching and tuning of the reflection band. This kind of electro-optical control of the reflection band in PSCLCs may have potential use as optical filters, display technologies, telecommunications and tunable lasers.
Light responsive azobenzene functionalized polymer networks enjoy several advantages as actuator candidates including the ability to be remotely triggered and the capacity for highly tunable control via light intensity, polarization, wavelength and material alignments. One signi cant challenge hindering these materials from being employed in applications is their often relatively slow actuation rates and low power densities, especially in the absence of photo-thermal e ects. One well known strategy employed in nature for increasing actuation rate and power output is the storage and quick release of elastic energy (e.g., the Venus ytrap). Using nature as inspiration we have conducted a series of experiments and developed an equilibrium mechanics model for investigating remotely triggered snap-through of bistable light responsive arches made from glassy azobenzene functionalized polymers. After brie y discussing experimental observations we consider in detail a geometrically exact, planar rod model of photomechanical snap-through. Theoretical energy release characteristics and unique strain eld pro les provide insight toward design strategies for improved actuator performance. The bistable light responsive arches presented here are potentially a powerful option for remotely triggered, rapid motion from apparently passive structures in applications such as binary optical switches and positioners, surfaces with morphing topologies, and impulse locomotion in micro or millimeter scale robotics.
A considerable body of knowledge has been developed on the general behavior of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) materials in electric fields. One approach that has been reported to achieve tunability in optical filters based on CLCs with a positive dielectric anisotropy and in the planar homogeneous state involves the application of electric fields perpendicular to the axis of the CLC helix. The field leads to a progressive unwinding of the helix and a corresponding red-shift in the position of the reflection band of the CLC. In this work, a microspectrophotometer was employed to probe the spatial heterogeneity of the optical spectra of the CLC in cells with interdigitated electrodes. We will show that a complex behavior of the Bragg reflection band is obtained in the gap between electrodes for certain parameters of cells with interdigitated electrodes as a function of the applied field. This is ascribed to variations in the field magnitude and direction in the cell, which lead to a spatial variation of helix unwinding.
Glassy, polydomain azobenzene liquid crystal polymer networks (azo-LCN) have been synthesized, characterized,
and modeled to understand composition dependence on large amplitude, bidirectional bending and twisting
deformation upon irradiation with linearly polarized blue-green (440-514 nm) light. These materials exhibit interesting
properties for adaptive structure applications in which the shape of the photoresponsive solid state
structure can be rapidly reconfigured with light. The basis for the photomechanical output observed in these
materials is absorption of actinic light by azobenzene, which upon photoisomerization dictates an internal stress
within the local polymer network. The photoinduced disruption of the order/orientation of the local polymer
network accompanying photoisomerization is manifested in a macroscopic deformation. Accordingly, this work
examines the polarization-controlled bidirectional bending of highly concentrated azo-LCN materials and compares
the macroscopic bending to a nonlinear photoshell model. The resulting photomechanical output is highly
dependent on the concentration of crosslinked azobenzene mesogens employed in the formulation. The model
comparisons illustrate differences in internal photostrain and deformation rates as a function of composition.
Bragg filters or gratings have the advantages of spectrally selective reflection and high diffraction efficiency, which
make them useful for a variety of applications. Liquid crystal Bragg gratings possess an additional interesting and useful
feature in that they are switchable or tunable. In switchable filters the reflection notch can be switched on and off, while
in a tunable filter it can be scanned through a broad spectral range. We have explored these types of filters for several
years and present a review of some of their more intriguing aspects. Two types of filter have been studied: holographic
polymer-dispersed liquid crystals and cholesteric liquid crystals. We describe the Bragg diffraction of these two types of
filter and explore their similarities and differences. Here we will focus on switching and tuning by external stimuli such
as electric fields as well as thermal and mechanical mechanisms. We further describe the physics of these devices and
point out some new features we have observed as well as open questions concerning their behavior.
Non-symmetric broadening (to the blue side) of a cholesteric reflection notch was
observed when a cell containing diacrylate and monoacrylate nematic LC monomers, a chiral
dopant, nematic LC and a photoinitiator was exposed to very low intensity (microwatts) of 335
nm UV light. At very low intensity, the polymerization rate is very slow and takes a long time to
complete as observed by real-time monitoring experiments. The polymerized scaffold templates
the original liquid crystal helical structure. The 335 nm light is highly absorbed by the system
which generates an intensity gradient throughout the thickness of the cell. This gradient
produces a free radical density gradient in the later stage of the polymerization when diffusion is
slowed by the growing polymer network. Since more monomer is consumed at the front half of
the cell, a counter diffusion of chiral dopant towards the cell backside is observed. This leads
to a local increase in the HTP causing a local blue shift of the notch wavelength. The net result
observed in transmission is a broadening of the reflection bandwidth from 70 nm to 200 nm
where the broadening occurs only to the blue side of the original notch. By varying the intensity
of the UV source on one side of the substrate, the broadening magnitude could be controlled.
Simultaneous UV illumination from both sides of the cell reduced the broadening considerably.
The broadened notch was switchable at high electrical field (20V/μm).
We report on the photoactuation of high modulus liquid crystalline polymers with side chain azobenzene mesogens (azo-LCP). Photomechanical deformation is actuated with the 442 nm line of a He-Cd laser. Early results show that this
system achieves displacement of up to 85° towards the actinic source when the He-Cd polarization is parallel to the
nematic director and approximately 30-40° when the polarization is orthogonal to the nematic director. A wide range of
materials have been synthesized by the photopolymerization of a liquid crystal diacrylate monomer (RM257) and an
azobenzene-containing monoacrylate liquid crystalline monomer. Interestingly, azo-LCP formed with holographic
photopolymerization have faster bending rates than polymers formed with flood-lit illumination of equivalent intensity.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
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.