Reversible and fast shift in reflection band of a cubic blue phase in a vertical electric field

Abstract

Two electro-optical phenomena of liquid-crystal blue phase with cubic lattice structure-(1) a fast and reversible shift in reflection band and (2) a phase transition from blue phase to chiral nematic phase-are observed in this study. By increasing the magnitude of a vertical electric field, the reflected wavelength of the blue phase can be shifted to a longer wavelength in a range of 80 nm within a few ms. This reflection band shift is induced by the reorientation of liquid-crystal molecules constructing double twist cylinders, which induces lattice distortion of the blue phase. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.