Linear electro-optic effects in polymer-dispersed ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract

We demonstrate that ferroelectric liquid crystals are suitable for application in polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) displays. The alignment of the liquid crystal can be controlled by mechanical shear during the polymerization-induced phase separation between the liquid crystal and the UV-curable adhesive which forms the polymer matrix. Helical unwinding in the smectic SmC phase and the electroclinic effect in the smectic SmA phase have been found in these samples. Both effects lead to a rotation of the optical axis in the plane perpendicular to the electric field. Switching times are of the order 100 μs.