Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol.503, 81-98, 2009
Photorefractive Effect of Photoconductive-Polymer-Stabilized Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals
The photorefractive effect of photoconductive-polymer-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) was investigated. A photoconductive acrylate monomer and an electron acceptor compound were mixed with an FLC, and the mixtures were photopolymerized in the ferroelectric phase. A photoconductive polymer network was formed in the FLC medium, and a polymer-stabilized FLC was obtained. The photorefractive effect was evaluated by a two-beam coupling experiment. A large gain coefficient was obtained in the polymer-stabilized FLCs.
Keywords:ferroelectric liquid crystals;optical hysteresis;photorefractive effect;polymer stabilization;two-beam coupling