Hysteresis-free and submillisecond-response polymer network liquid crystal
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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites
Published on: February 6, 2016
Abstract:
We demonstrate a polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) with negligible hysteresis while keeping submillisecond response time. By doping about 1% dodecyl acrylate (C12A) into the liquid crystal/monomer precursor, both hysteresis and residual birefringence are almost completely eliminated. The operating voltage and scattering properties remain nearly intact, but the tradeoff is enhanced double relaxation. This hysteresis-free PNLC should find applications in spatial light modulators, laser beam control, and optical communications in infrared region.
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