Flexible Structures Based on a Short Pitch Cholesteric Liquid Crystals |
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| Authors: | Giovanna Palermo Cesare Umeton |
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| Institution: | Department of Physics, and Centre of Excellence for the Study of Innovative Functional Materials, University of Calabria and NANOTEC-CNR, Unit in Cosenza, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy |
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| Abstract: | We report on the realization and characterization of electro-responsive and pressure sensitive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) conductive photonic structures combined with the reconfigurable properties of short pitch cholesteric liquid crystals (aligned in Grandjean configuration). By combining ion-implantation process and surface chemistry functionalization, we have overcome the insulating properties of PDMS and induced long range organization of cholesteric liquid crystals, thus controlling both diffraction and selective Bragg reflection of light by means of external perturbations (electric field, pressure). We have characterized our devices in terms of morphological, optical and electro-optical properties. |
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| Keywords: | Liquid Crystals Polymers Diffraction Gratings Optics |
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