Transitions in Liquid Crystals Initiated with Circularly Polarized Light.
Abstract
The fundamental goal of this research is the discovery of new means to control the physical and optical properties of liquid crystals with light. In work on this project we focused on the development of chiroptical triggers designed to induce a reversible nematic to cholesteric transition in a liquid crystal under the influence of circularly polarized light. Three classes of systems were investigated -- biaryl chromophores, axially symmetric benzylidene cyclohexanes, and chiral cycloheptatrienes. None of these compounds meet all of the requirements for a chiroptical trigger, but the knowledge gained enables a clearer definition of the properties a successful trigger must possess. (jg)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA290525
Entities
People
- Gary Schuster
Organizations
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign