Liquid crystal blue phases interconversions based real-time thermal imaging device

The real-time thermal imaging systems, which allow the rapid conversion, acquisition, and manipulation of obtained optical information, are the emerging technologies that offer a variety of imaging applications. Here, we present a novel type of thermal imaging device, based on the thermo-optical properties of liquid crystal blue phases. Herewith, the novelty lies in the use of a weak first-order phase transition between the blue phases controlled by external thermal fields. In turn, the stimulated interconversions of the selective reflections between the blue phases enable the visualization of the two-dimensional spatial distribution of the thermal fields. The real-time room temperature operation capabilities of the proposed thermal imaging device may enable applications in areas such as medicine, astronomy, security, surveillance, people tracking, aerospace monitoring, and artworks inspection.