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New SmAPF Mesogens Designed for Analog Electrooptics Applications
Eva D Korblova1,2, Edward Guzman3,4, Joseph E Maclennan5,6
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, 215 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0215, USA. Eva.Korblova@Colorado.EDU.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 10, 2017
Summary
Researchers explored novel ferroelectric liquid crystal phases for electrooptic applications. They designed new materials to enhance modulation capabilities and expand phase structure, paving the way for advanced optical devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Liquid Crystals
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- The orthogonal ferroelectric bent-core SmAPF phase was previously realized in mesogens with a tricarbosilane-terminated alkoxy tail.
- This phase exhibits promising electrooptic properties, including analog phase-only electrooptic index modulation with optical latching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the "structure space" of the SmAPF phase by designing novel mesogens.
- To optimize the dynamic range of index modulation and expand the structural diversity of the phase.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of two new classes of SmAPF mesogens.
- Modification of the rigid core to alter the bend angle.
- Replacement of the tricarbosilane tail with a polyfluorinated polyethylene glycol oligomer.
Main Results:
- The first class of mesogens, with a lowered bend angle in the rigid core, aims to optimize the dynamic range of index modulation in parallel-aligned cells.
- The second class of mesogens expands the structure space by incorporating a polyfluorinated polyethylene glycol oligomer tail.
- These new designs contribute to a broader understanding and application potential of ferroelectric liquid crystal phases.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully expands the known structure space of the ferroelectric bent-core SmAPF phase.
- The designed mesogens offer pathways to tune electrooptic properties for potential applications in optical devices.
