Fast Response Liquid Crystals for Electro-Optic Applications.

Abstract

The objectives of this program are (1) to develop low voltage and high birefringence LC mixtures, (2) to develop negative dielectric anistropic LC materials for high contrast display and wide-band infrared scene projectors, and (3) to deliver sample mixtures to device teams for testing. In the effort of developing high birefringence and low voltage LC mixtures for laser communications, we discovered some nitro-amino tolane dyes with very large dielectric anistropy and relatively low viscosity. Adding 10% of this guest to the nonpolar diphenyl-diacetylene host, the threshold votage drops from 4.0 to 1.5 V(rms). In the meantime, these new compounds possess a relatively low viscosity so that they do not increase the response time too noticeably. In the effort of developing negative dielectric an isotropy LC compounds, we have designed and synthesized (collaborated with Chiao Tun University) several laterally fluorinated tolanes and diacetylenes. These LC compounds exhibit a large but negative dielectric anisotropy. They are useful for high contrast displays and for wide-band infrared scene projectors. We have delivered sample mixtures to Raytheon Lexington Labs, Kent State University, and MacroVision Communication for testing their laser beam steering, low voltage display and fiber-optic communications devices, respectively.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA330668

Entities

People

  • S. T. Wu

Organizations

  • HRL Laboratories

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkynes
  • Anisotropy
  • Beam Steering
  • Birefringence
  • Chlorides
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Communications
  • Lasers
  • Liquid Crystal Displays
  • Liquid Crystals
  • Low Voltage
  • Materials
  • Melting Point
  • Phase Transformations
  • Physical Properties
  • Transition Temperature
  • Viscosity

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Polymer Science and Technology
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy