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High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal
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Isotropic Elastic Stress Induced Large Temperature Range Liquid Crystal Blue Phase at Room Temperature
Suman K Manna1,2, Laurent Dupont2, Guoqiang Li1,3
1Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43212, United States.
Journal of Physical Chemistry & Biophysics
|December 12, 2017
Summary
Researchers stabilized thermodynamically stable blue phases (BPs) at room temperature using isotropic liquids. This innovation enhances BP temperature range and offers microsecond electro-optic response times for advanced optical devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Liquid Crystals
- Thermodynamics
Background:
- Conventional rod-like nematogens typically form blue phases (BPs) that are not thermodynamically stable at room temperature.
- Stabilizing blue phases is crucial for their application in advanced optical technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a thermodynamically stable blue phase (BP) at room temperature.
- To enhance the operational temperature range and electro-optic properties of blue phases.
Main Methods:
- Diluting a chiral-nematic mixture with a nonmesogenic isotropic liquid.
- Characterizing the resulting mixture's phase behavior, temperature range, and electro-optic response.
Main Results:
- Achieved thermodynamically stable blue phases (BPs) at room temperature.
- Significantly improved the reversible temperature range of BPs to over 28 °C.
- Observed microsecond electro-optic response times and electric field-induced wavelength tuning.
Conclusions:
- Isotropic liquids stabilize BPs at room temperature by reducing effective elastic moduli and increasing orientational ordering symmetry.
- The enhanced stability and properties make these blue phases suitable for next-generation optical devices, photonic displays, and lasers.
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