title: Critical field strength in an electroclinic liquid crystal elastomer.
abstract: We elucidate the polymer dynamics of a liquid crystal elastomer based on the time-dependent response of the pendent liquid crystal mesogens. The molecular tilt and switching time of mesogens are analyzed as a function of temperature and cross-linking density upon application of an electric field. We observe an unexpected maximum in the switching time of the liquid crystal mesogens at intermediate field strength. Analysis of the molecular tilt over multiple time regimes correlates the maximum response time with a transition to entangled polymer dynamics at a critical field strength.
authors.affiliation: Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 22375, USA. christopher.spillmann@nrl.navy.mil
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Spillmann
authors.forename: Amit V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kapur
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Bentrem
authors.forename: Jawad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Naciri
authors.forename: Banahalli R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Ratna
mesh_terms: D020724:Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004560:Electricity; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D020724:Elastomers