NMR Studies of Surface Induced Ordering in Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals
Abstract
NMR studies of nematic liquid crystals confined to micron and submicron-size cavities in a solid polymer are described. The high surface-to- volume ratio imposed by the cavities and the high density of cavities present in polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) allow for NMR studies of unusual surface phenomena not possible before by this powerful experimental method. Unique measurements of surface anchoring energies and angles, and experiments on the surface layer transition predicted by theory are shown to be accessible by this technique. Nematic director configurations and modifications of the nematic-istropic transition induced by the confinement of a nematic liquid crystal to a small and highly curved cavity are studied. These basic studies are guided by applications of PDLCs in light shutters for displays and other electrooptic devices. When nematic liquid crystals are dispersed as submicron- sizer droplets in polymers, electrically switched light shutters with a wide range of applications extending beyond existing liquid crystal technology are possible. These applications include large-scale flexible displays that do not require polarizes and are simple and cost effective to fabricate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 02, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA199303
Entities
People
- A. Golemme
- J. W. Doane
- S. Zumer
Organizations
- University of Connecticut