Electro-optic response and switchable Bragg diffraction for liquid crystals in colloid-templated materials.
We report optical switching studies on nematic liquid crystal incorporated into structures based on self-assembled colloids. We compare the electro-optic responses of liquid crystal imbibed into colloid-templated polymers, liquid crystal imbibed in the interstitial space of colloid crystals, and conventional polymer-dispersed liquid crystals. We characterize the Bragg diffraction of our templated liquid-crystal/polymer composites as a function of electric field and measure switching times. The response of liquid crystal in connected networks differs qualitatively from that of liquid crystal in isolated cavities.
Mach
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P
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6396, USA. petermach@lucent.com
Wiltzius
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P
Megens
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M
Weitz
D A
DA
Lin Kh
Keng-hui
KH
Lubensky
T C
TC
Yodh
A G
AG