We used polymer networks to stabilize the planar state in Cholesteric liquid crystals.  Under externally applied electric fields, the layered helical structure is retained.  We observed two competing modes: (1) the layer undulating while the liquid crystal remaining parallel to the layer, (2) liquid crystal reorienting to form conic helical structure while the layer remaining flat.  The two modes depend on the aligning effect of the polymer network.  With strong aligning polymer network, Mode 1 dominates and the color of the Cholesteric liquid crystal can be tuned.  With weak aligning polymer network, Mode 2 dominates and the reflection intensity of the Cholesteric liquid crystal can be tuned.

Color and intensity tuning in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals

245th National Meeting (2013)

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