Effect of liquid crystal birefringence on the opacity and off-axis haze of PDLC films

S. Pane; M. Caporusso

doi:10.1117/12.300019

1 February 1998 Effect of liquid crystal birefringence on the opacity and off-axis haze of PDLC films

S. Pane, M. Caporusso

Proceedings Volume 3318, Liquid Crystals: Physics, Technology, and Applications; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.300019
Event: Liquid Crystals, 1997, Zakopane, Poland

Abstract

PDLC systems are thin films consisting of a dispersion of liquid crystal micro-droplets in a continuous solid phase of polymer matrix. Application of an electric field on a thin layer of PDLC sandwiched between two transparent on-state. This effect make them useful for a wide variety of applications. Among them, smart windows for architectural is the most popular subject in literature. For this application, the key parameters of performance are the haze and the opacity. There are essentially two technologies used to prepare PDLC films, namely micro-encapsulation and phase separation.In the present work we will show the correlation between the opacity and the off-axis haze in PDLC films prepared with a phase separation technology. We will give the general rule in order to select the liquid crystal properties that allow the preparation of high opacity ad low haze PDLC films. Further study about the control of the parameters which influence the performances of PDLC films prepared with phase separation technology and the difference with the NCAP approach are in progress at our laboratory.

Citation Download Citation

S. Pane and M. Caporusso "Effect of liquid crystal birefringence on the opacity and off-axis haze of PDLC films", Proc. SPIE 3318, Liquid Crystals: Physics, Technology, and Applications, (1 February 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.300019

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