Rapid switching in a dual-frequency hybrid aligned nematic liquid crystal cell

Abstract

We report the optical characterization of a dual-frequency hybrid aligned nematic (HAN) liquid crystal cell driven between two states using a multiple-frequency sinusoidal pulse. The complex dynamic director structure formed during the fast switching process is resolved in unprecedented detail on a submillisecond time scale. The results reveal backflow effects and a total switching time that is substantially faster than that achievable with conventional HAN cells. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.