Photoinduced hyper-reflective cholesteric liquid crystals enabled via surface initiated photopolymerization.
A structured polymer was synthesized by surface initiated photopolymerization in the presence of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC). The templated helical polymer (traversing 2/3 the cell thickness) was backfilled with an opposite handedness, photoresponsive CLC mixture yielding a photo-induced, large contrast, hyper-reflective (R > 99%) CLC film.
Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, 3005 Hobson Way, WPAFB, OH, USA.
Michael E
ME
McConney
Vincent P
VP
Tondiglia
Jennifer M
JM
Hurtubise
Timothy J
TJ
White
Timothy J
TJ
Bunning
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry*; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
D011108:Polymers; D002784:Cholesterol