A polarizer-free flexible and reflective electrooptical switch using dye-doped liquid crystal gels

Opt Express. 2008 Feb 4;16(3):1777-85. doi: 10.1364/oe.16.001777.

Abstract

A polarizer-free flexible and reflective electro-optical switch using dye-doped liquid crystal (LC) gels is demonstrated. The electro-optical performances of both scattering and absorption based dye-doped LC gels depend on curing temperatures due to domain sizes of polymer networks. Such flexible electro-optical switch is bendable and trim-able because of the vertical polymer networks and gel-like materials. The dye-doped LC gel shows good reflectance ~55%, good contrast ratio~450:1 and fast response~6.4 ms at curing temperature 10 degrees C. The bending curvature is 21 mm. The dye-doped LC gels open a new window for trim-able electronic papers, decorative displays, electrically switchable curtains, and electrically switchable sun control film for the automobiles, homes or commercial buildings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Coloring Agents / chemistry*
  • Electronics / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Liquid Crystals / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing
  • Optics and Photonics / instrumentation*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents