Liquid crystal director dynamics imaged using two-photon fluorescence microscopy with remote focusing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics
• Liquid Crystal Physics

Background:

• Understanding liquid crystal (LC) director field dynamics is crucial for display technologies and optical devices.
• Resolving rapid axial changes in LC orientation has been a significant challenge in optical imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel remote focusing imaging technique for high-resolution axial dynamics observation in liquid crystals.
• To demonstrate the technique's capability by imaging the dynamic evolution of a nematic liquid crystal director field under an applied voltage.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel imaging technique utilizing remote focusing.
• Application of the technique to an initially splayed nematic liquid crystal layer subjected to a sudden voltage pulse.
• Direct imaging of the director field's axial evolution and switching dynamics.

Main Results:

• Achieved high axial time resolution, enabling direct visualization of dynamic processes.
• Observed transient state director configurations during the switching process.
• Revealed changes in the topology of the liquid crystal layer in response to electrical stimuli.

Conclusions:

• The novel remote focusing imaging technique effectively resolves axial dynamics in liquid crystal director fields.
• The method provides unprecedented insights into transient states and topological evolution during LC switching.
• This technique has significant potential for advancing the study and application of liquid crystals.