Chiral-induced self-assembly sphere phase liquid crystal with fast switching time

Abstract

A fluid self-assembly sphere phase (SP) of liquid crystal induced by chiral dopant is observed in a narrow temperature range between isotropic and blue phase or between isotropic and chiral nematic phase. The SP consists of three-dimensional twist spheres (3-DTSs) and disclinations among 3-DTSs. The temperature range of the SP has been broadened to more than 85 degrees C by stabilizing the disclinations with amorphous polymer chains. The electro-optical switching time of the polymer-stabilized SP is demonstrated in sub-millisecond with a low switching electric field of 4.4 V mu m(-1), which is of promising applications in displays, 3-D tunable photonic crystals, and phase modulators. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.