Guest-Host Type Liquid Crystal Displays

Eight modes of the guest-host cells (GH-cells), in which types of dye, liquid crystal and their alignments are adequately combined, are surveyed, and the color contrast of each mode is calculated.

Three modes among them are of positive type display, that is, colored patterns on the colorless background contrary to the initially proposed fundamental GH-cell. Another three modes are the GH-cells without polarizer, by which bright display can be obtained.

Light stability of dyes are also discussed and lifetimes of various dyes are estimated by accelerated life test. As a result, it is found that diazo-and axomethine-dayes without thiazole groups as well as anthraqunone-dyes have satisfying lifetimes as long as they are used indoors.     

The Use of Azo Dyes in Guest-Host Displays

Azo dye molecules are cylindrically shaped, and therefore, due to their resemblance to liquid crystal molecules, would seem to be suitable for use in guest-host mixtures. The dichroic ratio of a dye in a given nematic host depends on the molecular length of the dye molecules, the order parameter of the liquid crystal host and its molecular dimensions. It is possible to obtain a guest-host mixture with an order parameter which is higher than that of the pure host. Lateral substitution of mono-azo dyes lowers the order parameter, whilst lateral substitution of the corresponding bis-and tris-azo molecules results in only a slight change in their order parameter.

The stability of these compounds to light is poor, and depends on the wavelength for maximum absorption, and on the host material. Whilst lateral substitution increases the fastness of azo compounds when used for textile dying, this is not the case when they are employed with liquid crystal mixtures. The kinetics of degradation are zero order in dye concentration.

It has been found that azo dyes are not in general suited to applications where prolonged exposure to sunlight may be encountered, e.g. watch applications.     

Surface Order Parameter and Polar Anchoring Energy in Nematic Liquid Crystals

The trends of temperature dependence of the surface order parameter and of the anchoring strength coefficient are theoretically evaluated in the Landau-de Gennes phenomenological theory for nematic liquid crystals. The cases of planar, homeotropic and tilted alignment at a planar limiting surface are considered. It is shown that the cases with surface order parameter greater than the bulk one or smaller than this can occur in function of the phenomenological coefficients in the surface free energy expression. The anchoring strength coefficient, W, diminishes when temperature approaches the nematic-isotropic point, after passing through a maximum in most of cases. The possibility of a non-zero anchoring strength at temperatures above the transition temperature is revealed. The obtained trends of W(T) describe well a large variety of experimental results from literature.     

Assessment of Nematic Guest-Host Systems for Application to Integrated Liquid Crystal Displays

An optimized configuration of the nematic guest-host effect is described in which a 90° twist cell is used. In order to assess the suitability of nematic guest-host systems for use in integrated displays in which a significant dc voltage may appear across the liquid crystal, several dye/host systems were tested with up to 1.5V dc superimposed on the normal 5V r.m.s. drive signal. Degradation was monitored by measurement of tilt, clearing point and absorbance. One system tested showed no significant degradation after 9 × 10³ hr. Excellent correlation was observed between stability of a dye/host system in a driven display and the reversibility of the reduction of the dye in acetonitrile solution at a platinum electrode.     

Comparative Study of the Thermal Dependence of the Birefringence and Order Parameter of Two nOCB Compounds

The optical properties, birefringence and order parameter of two alkoxycyanobiphenyls (nOCBs, where n = 5 or 8) have been studied as a function of temperature. The variation of orientational order parameter has been determined experimentally. Theoretical order parameter values have also been computed in the smectic range using McMillan potential and in the nematic range using Maier–Saupe potential and compared with the experimentally obtained values. The variations of polarizabilities with temperature have also been evaluated from density variation and birefringence studies.     

Nematic Defects and Colloids as Photonic Elements

Birefringent structures in liquid crystalline fluids, such as colloidal assemblies or topological defects, show high potential for use as photonic elements. Here, we present a brief overview of two photonic phenomena originating from coupling light fields with complex birefringent nematic profiles: (i) the generation of vector laser beams from simple Gaussian beams by propagating light along nematic discliantions, and (ii) tunable photonic crystals from blue phase colloidal crystals conditioned by the different underlying symmetries of the particle lattice and the blue phase birefringence. The polarization profile of initially simple linearly polarized Gaussian beams is shown to change into a defect structure at distinct distances travelled along the disclination with the topological invariant (winding number) of the light field and nematic director distinctly coupled. Upon pulsed laser illumination, the nematic discliantions are also shown to split the light pulse into multiple intensity regions. Blue phase I face centred cubic colloidal crystals are shown as examples of tunable photonic crystals, where local band-baps can open by differently combining the symmetries of the two components, e.g. by changing the particle size. The spatial profiles of selected photonic bands in the blue phase colloidal crystals are shown, finding the particles and blue phase double twist cylinders as possible carriers of high-light-intensity regions.     

The Order Parameters of Some Nematic Liquid Crystals Measured by the Resonance Raman Effect and Its Relevance to the Nematic-Isotropic Phase Transition

The second and fourth order parameters of nematic MBBA and 5CB have been determined near the nematic-isotropic transition temperatures by means of resonance Raman measurements on β-carotene dissolved as an orientational probe. The limiting behaviour of the second order parameter of MBBA near the transition point has been investigated on the basis of its fluctuation, which is deduced from the 2nd and 4th order parameter values.     

Effects of Nematic Compounds with High Clearing Points on the Multiplexing Performance of Twisted Nematic Displays

The addition of nematic compounds with high clearing points (N_h) to multiplexable nematic liquid crystals decreases the temperature dependence of the threshold voltage of twisted nematic displays. This effect depends on the dielectric anisotropy of the nematic liquid crystals containing N_h, as well as on the increase in T _c. In the case of 4-n-butylphenyl 4'-(4”-butyibenzoyloxy) benzoate, the low threshold voltage was exceptionally compatible with a small temperature dependence of threshold voltage, and this result was attributed to the large temperature dependence of the dielectric anisotropy in comparison with that of nematic liquid crystals containing other N_h's.     

Birefringence and Order Parameter of Some Alkyl and Alkoxycyanobiphenyl Liquid Crystals

The refractive indices and densities of six liquid crystals—two alkylcyanobiphenyls, three alkoxycyanobiphenyls and one mixture of two alkylcyanobiphenyls have been reported as a function of temperature. The effective polarizabilities α_eand α_o in the nematic phase calculated using the methods due to Neugebauer, Vuks and Saupe and Maier, are found to be appreciably different, though the order parameter S evaluated with those values of (α_e - α_o) are in good agreement. The preference of one method over the other two is discussed.     

Thermodynamics of Solutions of Various Nonmesomorphic Solutes in the Nematic and Isotropic Phases of 7CB

Thermodynamic results from gas-liquid chromatography, (GLC) are reported for thirty two nonmesomorphic solutes, at infinite dilution, in the nematic and isotropic phases of p-n-heptyl-p'-cyanobiphenyl (7CB). The solutes fall into five categories; normal alkanes, branched alkanes, alkenes, hexadienes and aromatics. The results are examined within the framework of statitical thermodynamic models. The observed trends are interpreted on the basis of solute structure (e.g. shape, size, flexibility, polarity and polarizability). The results conclusively show that the presence of one or more double bonds in the solute structure increases its compatibility with the nematic and isotropic phases of the liquid crystalline solvent. This effect is more drastic when the double bonds are conjugated. Other implications of this study include shape selective GLC separation of geometric isomers and an examination of the effect of solute structure on the stability of the nematic phase at finite solute concentrations.     

Diamagnetic Anisotropy Measurements of Nematic Liquid Crystals

Electro-optic effect of liquid crystals in the presence of a magnetic field was investigated. Two independent techniques: magnetic field dependent threshold voltage and magnetic field-assisted relaxation time, were used to evaluate the diamagnetic anisotropy for three nematic liquid crystals: BDH-E7, RO-TN-103 and ZLI-1132. Correlation between the diamagnetic anisotropy and the molecular structures was obtained. This information is particularly important for synthesizing liquid crystal components with desired diamagnetic anisotropy.     

White and Taylor Type Guest Host Displays Without Scattering Effects Using the Tilted Boundary Conditions

White and Taylor type guest host displays using the tilted boundary condition have been reported. The parallel or the perpendicular boundary condition is usually used for these displays and both conditions cause scattering phemomena after the electric field removal. The present paper reports the relaxation processes of samples with the tilted boundary after the field removal. Using the tilted boundary, two types of nonscattering conditions depending on the thickness of the liquid crystal layer (d), the natural pitch (Po) and the boundary condition (φ) exist. Both types of conditions are discussed in detail.     

Magnetic Order in Organic Superconductors

We have undertaken an electron spin resonance study at both low and high magnetic field on the superconducting phase of the ambient pressure superconductor (BEDT-TTF>₂I₃, (ET)₂I₃, over the temperature range 1-300 K and hydrostatic pressure range from 0 to 2 kbar. At ambient pressure the ESR results are consistent with the picture of (ET)₂I₃ as a metal. Superconductivity is observed at 1.6 K via low field ESR. Application of modest pressures strongly suppresses the superconducting transition temperature. At pressures above about 0.3 kbar the superconductivity is suppressed in favor of an as-yet-unidentified magnetic state whose onset is at 7K. Through an analysis of the microwave ESR lineshape we find that the microwave conductivity over the temperature range 5-50 K is in agreement with dc measurements.     

On the temperature Dependence of the orientational Order Parameter in the Nematic Phase of Cyanophenyl Behzoates

The orientational order parameters fot two liquid crystal materials, 4-cyanophenyl 4-butylbenzoate and 4-cyanophenyl 4-pentylbenzoate, have been derived by measuring the change in the refractive index as function of temperature. The order parameters are compared with MaierSaupe theory, and the sharpness of the transitions has been shown using the Haller's plot.     

Hierarchy of Periodic Patterns in the Twist-bend Nematic Phase of Mesogenic Dimers

Several attractive properties of hydrocarbon-linked mesogenic dimers have been discovered, a major feature of these has been the ability of dimers under confinement to form periodic patterns. At least six different types of stripe-like periodic patterns can be observed in these materials under various experimental conditions. Our most recent finding is the discovery of micrometre-scale periodic patterns at the N-N_tb phase transition interface, and sub-micrometre scale patterns in the N_tb phase. Layer-like sub-micrometre patterns were observed using three-photon excitation fluorescence polarizing microscopy, and these are being reported here.     

The Electro-Optical Properties of Doping Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Liquids in Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystals

In this paper, doping liquid materials to enhance the electro-optical (EO) properties of twisted nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) was presented. Two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) liquids, toluene and 1-methylnaphthalene, were chosen as dopants in order to lower the driving voltage and response time of the NLCs. We find that the main reason of this phenomenon is due to a large amount of reduction in the rotational viscosity of PAH liquids doped NLCs. Without the drawbacks of aggregation that the solid nanoparticles could have, the method of doping liquids provides a more reliable choice for applications in various LC display systems.     

立方晶系晶体本征铁弹相变序参量的选取

在本征铁弹相变的软模理论的基础上,依据弹性本构关系和居里原理,给出了立方晶系晶体所有可能的自发应变的种类,研究了立方晶系晶体本征铁弹相变序参量的选取问题.以Th群和Oh群为例,阐明了不同类的序参量导致晶体对称性变化相同的的原因,提出了该情况下序参量选取的“就少不就多”的原则.得到了发生本征铁弹相变时所有可能的序参量及晶体的对称性的变化.     

Imidazolium based ionic liquid crystals: structure,photophysical and thermal behaviour of [Cnmim]Br·xH2O (n = 12, 14; x=0, 1)

The long chain imidazolium halides [C_nmim]Br·xH₂O (n = 10, 12; x = 0, 1) have been synthesized and their structural and thermal behaviour together with their photophysical properties characterized. X‐ray structure analyses of the monohydrates ([C₁₂mim]Br·H₂O: triclinic, P1, no. 2, Z = 2, Pearson code aP112, a = 550.0(5) pm, b = 779.4(5) pm, c = 2296.1(5) pm, α = 81.89(5)°, β = 83.76(5)°, γ = 78.102(5)°, 3523 unique reflections with I_o > 2σ(I_o), R₁ = 0.0263, wR₂ = 0.0652, GooF = 1.037, T = 263(2) K; [C₁₄mim]Br•H₂O: triclinic, P1, no. 2, Z = 12, Pearson code aP11, a = 549.86(8) pm, 782.09(13) pm, c = 2511.3(4) pm, α = 94.86(2)°, β = 94.39(2)°, γ = 101.83(2)°, 2063 unique reflections with I_o > 2σ(I_o), R₁ = 0.0429, wR₂ = 0.0690, GooF = 0.770, T = 293(2) K) show for both compounds similar bilayered structures. Sheets composed of hydrophilic structure regions constituted by positively charged imidazolium head groups, bromide anions and hydrogen bonded water alternate with hydrophobic areas formed by interdigitated long alkyl chains belonging to imidazolium cations with different orientation. Combined differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy shows that the monohydrates as well as the anhydrous imidazolium salts are thermotropic liquid crystals which adopt smectic mesophases. The mesophase region is larger in case of the monohydrates when compared to the anhydrous compounds indicating that water obviously stabilizes the mesophase. All compounds show an intense whitish photoluminescence with short lived (¹π←¹π*) and long lived (¹π←³π*) transitions. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A Spectroscopic Study of the Second Order Phase Transition in Bis (p-toluene sulfonate) Diacetylene Polymer Crystals

The second order phase transition at 195 K which occurs in bis (p-toluene sulfonate) diacetylene polymer crystals has been studied by optical reflection and transmission, Raman and far-infrared spectroscopy. Order parameter fitting to the data suggests that at low temperatures the transition has a two dimensional character while closer to the transition it appears to be three dimensional. There are indications of a broad transition region which might be expected for a predominately two dimensional phase transition in which fluctuations dominate the behaviour of the system. Analysis of new X-ray crystallographic data gives some support to a structural model in which the transition would have a substantial two dimensional character.