Spontaneous radial liquid crystals alignment on curved polymeric surfaces
Abstract
We report on the fabrication and characterization of curved periodic microstructures formed through the controlled phase separation of a liquid crystal and a polymerizing matrix comprising self-aligned liquid crystal. Imaging through a “Fresnel like” structure imparts an intensity profile onto a photosensitive mixture which subsequently forms periodic alternating curved polymeric and liquid crystal slices. The phase separated concentric rings of nematic liquid crystal self-align in a radial alignment in between the polymer walls as indicated by polarizing optical microscopy analysis (Maltese cross). Electro-optical experiments confirm the possibility to control this alignment and the optical properties of the macroscopic structure by means of a quite low external voltage. The system exhibits high-quality and self-alignment of an ordered (liquid crystal) fluid without the need of surface chemistry or functionalization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jun 02, 2014
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.4881976
Entities
People
- Luciano De Sio
- Nelson Tabiryan
- Timothy Bunning
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- University of Calabria