Critical Field Strength in an Electroclinic Liquid Crystal Elastomer

Abstract

We elucidate the polymer dynamics of a liquid crystal elastomer based on the time-dependent response of the pendent liquid crystal mesogens. The molecular tilt and switching time of mesogens are analyzed as a function of temperature and cross-linking density upon application of an electric field. We observe an unexpected maximum in the switching time of the liquid crystal mesogens at intermediate field strength. Analysis of the molecular tilt over multiple time regimes correlates the maximum response time with a transition to entangled polymer dynamics at a critical field strength.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA522747

Entities

People

  • Amit V. Kapur
  • Banahalli R. Ratna
  • Christopher M Spillmann
  • Frank W. Bentrem
  • Jawad Naciri

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Crystals
  • Curie Temperature
  • Dynamics
  • Elastomers
  • Electric Fields
  • Light Scattering
  • Liquid Crystals
  • Macromolecules
  • Materials
  • Military Research
  • Molecules
  • Phase Transformations
  • Polymers
  • Spine
  • Switching
  • Transitions

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Polymer Science and Technology