A polarizer-free flexible and reflective electrooptical switch using dye-doped liquid crystal gels.
A polarizer-free flexible and reflective electro-optical switch using dye-doped liquid crystal (LC) gels is demonstrated. The electro-optical performances of both scattering and absorption based dye-doped LC gels depend on curing temperatures due to domain sizes of polymer networks. Such flexible electro-optical switch is bendable and trim-able because of the vertical polymer networks and gel-like materials. The dye-doped LC gel shows good reflectance ~55%, good contrast ratio~450:1 and fast response~6.4 ms at curing temperature 10 degrees C. The bending curvature is 21 mm. The dye-doped LC gels open a new window for trim-able electronic papers, decorative displays, electrically switchable curtains, and electrically switchable sun control film for the automobiles, homes or commercial buildings.
Lin
Yi-Hsin
YH
Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University,1001 Ta Hsueh Rd., Hsinchu 30050, Taiwan. yilin@mail.nctu.edu.tw
Yang
Jhih-Ming
JM
Lin
Yan-Rung
YR
Jeng
Shie-Chang
SC
Liao
Chi-Chang
CC
D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*
D004396:Coloring Agents