Switching behavior and electro-optical properties of liquid crystals in nematic gels
Anisotropic nematic gels are prepared via in situ polymerization of diacrylate monomers in an orientated nematic liquid crystal (LC) matrix. The switching behavior of the LC molecules under electric field is probed in polarized Raman spectroscopy and straight theta-2straight theta elastic light scattering experiments. The electro-optical characteristics of the gels are directly related to the electric field dependence of the fraction of switched molecules. The electro-optical contrast relates to the coexistence of switched LC domains and LC domains anchored to the polymer network.
Gautier
P
Groupe de Dynamique des Phases Condensees, UMR CNRS 5581, Universite Montpellier II, Montpellier, France and ASULAB S.A., Rue des Sors, Marin, Switzerland.
Brunet
M
Grupp
J
Sauvajol
JL
Anglaret
E