Applying the optical activity of cholesteric liquid crystal for measuring small wavelength differences

This work proposes a simple measurement technique based on the optical activity of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) and circular common-path heterodyne interferometry for measuring small wavelength differences. A circularly polarized heterodyne light passes through a CLC cell and an analyzer, generating an interference signal. When the CLC cell is properly chosen with a circular regime, it has strong optical activity. Accordingly, the phase difference between the left and right circular light of the interference signal depends strongly on the wavelength. As the wavelength changes, variations of the phase difference can be accurately detected by heterodyne interferometry. Substituting the variation of phase difference into specially derived equations, the wavelength variations can be estimated accurately. The feasibility of this method, which is applicable when the wavelength is larger than the product of the pitch and the refractive index of the CLC cell, was demonstrated; it provides the advantages of simple installation, ease of operation, and high accuracy.     

Optical properties of frustrated cholesteric liquid crystals in planar cell

ABSTRACT

We investigated the alignment director of a frustrated cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) confined in a planar cell. Three cells with different confinement ratio (c?=?d/p) (where p is the pitch and d is the cell thickness) are prepared. Under an electric field, the CLC planar texture is transformed into a cholesteric fingerprint (CF). The results showed that CF contrast depends on c. When c?≈?2, CLC stripes are formed by a periodic CF, with a period equal to the CLC pitch. The CF is developed and slowly extended to the whole cell surface along the rubbing direction and the contrast of the grating stripes keeps unchangeable. Yet, the CLC finger borders have a different light intensity. However, when c?≈?1, the CF contrast increases with time. When c?θ between the polarizer and the CFs.     

The synthesis of the chiral non-mesogenic d-seco estrone derivatives and their influence on the phase transitions of cholesteric liquid crystals

The synthesis of new chiral seco-estrone derivatives is presented, as well as their influence on the phase transition of binary mixtures of cholesteryc liquid crystals. The new chiral derivatives do not posses any liquid crystalline phases and were synthesized in several synthetic steps, starting from estrone. We have studied the mixtures of cholesteryl non-anoate (40%) with cholesteryl myristate (40%) and addition of new chiral derivatives 3 4, or 5 (20%). It was concluded that the addition of chiral derivative 3 to the binary mixture stabilizes smectic A and cholesteric phase and shifts the phase transition temperature with respect to pure binary mixture for about 5°C towards lower temperatures. The extension of the temperature range of the cholesteric phase from 5°C to 15°C was established in the case when the derivatives 3 and 4 are added to the binary mixture of cholesteryl nonanoate with cholesteryl myristate. The phase diagrams of investigated compounds are formed on the basis of data obtained by the optical microscopy. Using X-ray diffraction on the crystalline powder of unoriented samples we have determined the molecular parameters: the thickness of smectic and cholesteric layers and average distance between the long axes of neighboring molecules.     

Reinvestigation of liquid crystalline property of dimesogenic compound consisting of cholesterol and cyanobiphenyl

The dimesogenic compound consisting of cholesterol and cyanobiphenyl mesogens interlinked byω-oxyalkanoyl spacer was synthesized.The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),polarizing optical microscopy(POM),and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The experimental results indicated that this compound exhibited mesophase over a much wider temperature range and a new mesophase blue phase(BP).Focal conic domains(FCDs) and droplets texture to the smectic A phase(SA),oily streaks...     

乙基氰乙基纤维素/交联聚丙烯酸复合物膜的溶胀行为

研究了乙基氰乙基纤维素 [(E CE)C] 交联聚丙烯酸 [PAA]胆甾相液晶复合物膜的厚度以及膜的组成对膜在水中的溶胀行为的影响 .复合物膜越厚则达到溶胀平衡所需要的时间越长 ,但是其最大溶胀率是相同的 .复合物膜的最大溶胀率先是随着 (E CE)C浓度的增加而增加 ,当 (E CE)C的浓度大于 5 1wt%的时候 ,复合物膜的最大溶胀率几乎不再发生变化 .复合物膜的交联密度越大 ,其最大溶胀率越小 ,溶胀速率也随着膜的交联 (点 )密度的增加而减小 .研究还发现复合物膜的交联 (点 )密度越大 ,其溶胀前后最大选择性反射光波长的位移也越小 .     

Effective electrically tunable infrared reflectors based on polymer stabilised cholesteric liquid crystals

Electrically tunable infrared (IR) reflectors based on polymer stabilised cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLC) have been fabricated. The influence of polymerisation time on bandwidth broadening and response time of the IR reflector was investigated. Such IR reflector can reflect broad band of infrared light from 725 to 1435 nm upon application of a DC electric field, while remaining predominantly transparent in the visible region, with the transmittance in the region of 400–700 nm being above 90%. Bandwidth broadening was induced using low operational power with acceptable switching speeds. Model tests reveal that this IR reflector can effectively control the indoor temperature. The distinct properties of such IR reflector make it a good candidate for smart windows of automobiles and buildings to control interior temperature and save energy.     

Orientational transition in the cholesteric layer induced by electrically controlled ionic modification of the surface anchoring

A reorientation of cholesteric liquid crystal with a large helix pitch induced by the electrically controlled ionic modification of the surface anchoring has been studied. In initial state, the cholesteric helix is untwisted completely owing to the normal surface anchoring specified by the cations adsorbed at the substrates. As a result, the homeotropic director configuration is observed within the cell. Under the action of DC electric field, one of the substrates becomes free from the layer of surface active cations, therefore, setting the planar surface anchoring. The latter, in turn, leads to the formation of the hybrid chiral structure. The threshold value and dynamic parameters have been estimated for this process as well as the range of control voltages, which do not allow the electrohydrodynamic instabilities. The twisted hybrid director configuration observed in the experiment has been analysed by means of the simulation of polarisation change of light propagating through the cholesteric layer with asymmetric (planar and homeotropic) surface anchoring on the cell substrates.     

Lehmann rotation of twisted bipolar cholesteric droplets: role of Leslie,Akopyan and Zel’dovich thermomechanical coupling terms of nematodynamics

We show that the Leslie and texture-dependent Akopyan and Zel’dovich thermomechanical coupling terms of nematodynamics cannot explain the thermal Lehmann rotation of the twisted bipolar droplets observed in the coexistence region between a cholesteric phase and the isotropic liquid. On the other hand, these terms are pertinent below the transition temperature and can be determined by measuring the director rotation velocity in two different molecular configurations. In addition, a complete characterisation of the liquid crystal used (CCN-37) is also given.     

纤维素及其衍生物液晶研究近况

就纤维素及其衍生物溶性液晶和热致性液晶的液晶性及其影响因素,和流变性能等方面的研究作了较为详尽的综述。     

光致变色液晶高分子的研究(Ⅰ)─含胆甾介晶基无侧链聚硅氧烷及其单体的液晶行为

用POM、DSC和WAXD研究了十一烯酸胆甾酯及含胆甾介晶基元侧链聚硅氧烷的液晶行为。单体呈现明甾相的油条及螺旋织构,单致变近晶相的扇形织构和固-固相变。均聚物显示S_A相的扇形织构。