Controlling nanoscale morphology in switchable PDLC gratings

Robert T. Pogue; Lalgudi V. Natarajan; Vincent P. Tondiglia; S. A. Siwecki; Richard L. Sutherland; Timothy J. Bunning

doi:10.1117/12.326903

Translator Disclaimer

14 October 1998 Controlling nanoscale morphology in switchable PDLC gratings

Robert T. Pogue, Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Vincent P. Tondiglia, S. A. Siwecki, Richard L. Sutherland, Timothy J. Bunning

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3475, Liquid Crystals II; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.326903
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1998, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Gratings formed by anisotropic phase separation of liquid crystals how tremendous promise for switchable optical elements. Formation of useful gratings is linked to the control of the resulting nano-scale morphologies. In an attempt to decrease scatter and improve the electro-optic properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal volume transmission gratings were have evaluated the result of altering the relative concentrations of the components in the pre-polymer mixture. Discussion is made concerning the expected effects on polymerization and phase separation and how these changes are reflected in the film morphologies and electro-optical properties. Initial results indicate that changes in the concentration of co-initiator, chain extender, and effective monomer functionality have a significant effect on the size and shape of the LC domains at constant LC loading.

Citation Download Citation

Robert T. Pogue, Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Vincent P. Tondiglia, S. A. Siwecki, Richard L. Sutherland, and Timothy J. Bunning "Controlling nanoscale morphology in switchable PDLC gratings", Proc. SPIE 3475, Liquid Crystals II, (14 October 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.326903

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE