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A self-healing ferroelectric liquid crystal electro-optic shutter based on vertical surface-relief grating alignment.
Peter J M Wyatt1, James Bailey1,2, Mamatha Nagaraj1
1School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Nature Communications
|August 6, 2021
Summary
Ferroelectric liquid crystals with a novel vertical alignment geometry and surface-relief grating exhibit self-healing properties after shock-induced disruption. This breakthrough promises stable, high-speed optical devices like spatial light modulators.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) offer faster optical response times than nematics, making them attractive for displays and spatial light modulators.
- However, FLC devices are susceptible to permanent damage from shock-induced flow, which disrupts smectic layers and director orientation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a ferroelectric liquid crystal device with enhanced shock stability and self-healing capabilities.
- To enable sub-millisecond switching speeds in optically distinct states using in-plane electric fields.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of a vertical alignment geometry combined with a surface-relief grating to control smectic layer and director orientations.
- Utilizing in-plane electric fields for optical switching.
- Investigating the self-healing mechanism after shock-induced flow disruption.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated sub-millisecond switching between optically distinct states.
- Observed "self-healing" of smectic layers and director realignment within one second after shock disruption, without external stimulus.
- Achieved inherent shock stability in the ferroelectric liquid crystal device.
Conclusions:
- The novel vertical alignment geometry with a surface-relief grating effectively controls FLC orientation and enables self-healing of smectic layers.
- This approach overcomes the shock sensitivity limitations of traditional FLC devices.
- The findings pave the way for robust, high-speed spatial light modulators for applications in adaptive optics, virtual/augmented reality micro-displays, and telecommunications.
