Abstract:
The present, invention relates to liquid crystal compositions having a smectic A structure for use in an optical device in which the composition is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (12-15). In essence the composition includes a siloxane oligomer (component (a)) which may be seen to construct a layered SmA system of particular spacing and “strength”. Within this structure a low molar mass nematic mesogen (component (c)) is provided that may be considered to be that of a “plasticiser” which moderates the layer “strength”, while simultaneously providing tuneability to the properties of the composition, e.g. its refractive index or dielectric anisotropy. The addition of a side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (component (d)) allows such systems to be further moderated since they can be considered as binding together the la>¾rs, both within a given layer and between layers. An ionic dopant (component (b)) is also included in the composition that migrates through the composition when low frequency electric fields are applied to the composition by the electrodes, thereby disrupting the order to the composition. Order in the composition can be restored by applying a higher frequency field that does not allow the dopant time to migrate significantly. Chromophores may also be included in the formulation.
Abstract:
The present, invention relates to liquid crystal compositions having a smectic A structure for use in an optical device in which the composition is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (12-15). In essence the composition includes a siloxane oligomer (component (a)) which may be seen to construct a layered SmA system of particular spacing and “strength”. Within this structure a low molar mass nematic mesogen (component (c)) is provided that may be considered to be that of a “plasticiser” which moderates the layer “strength”, while simultaneously providing tuneability to the properties of the composition, e.g. its refractive index or dielectric anisotropy. The addition of a side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (component (d)) allows such systems to be further moderated since they can be considered as binding together the la>¾rs, both within a given layer and between layers. An ionic dopant (component (b)) is also included in the composition that migrates through the composition when low frequency electric fields are applied to the composition by the electrodes, thereby disrupting the order to the composition. Order in the composition can be restored by applying a higher frequency field that does not allow the dopant time to migrate significantly. Chromophores may also be included in the formulation.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to mesogenic, cross-linkable mixtures comprising (i) a cross-linkable liquid crystalline host compound comprising at least one cross-linkable liquid crystalline compound, and (ii) at least one chiral or achiral rod shaped additive component, wherein said additive component has a rigid core and comprises at least two fused or linked, optionally substituted, non-aromatic, aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, and also comprises at least one optionally substituted alkyl residue, and at least one polymerizable group and wherein the additive component has a transition temperature to the isotropic state of 40° C. or lower. The invention also relates to the novel chiral or achiral rod-shaped additive compounds used for the preparation of these mixtures, to mixtures according to the invention in form of an elastomer, polymer gel, polymer network or polymer film, to polymer networks and liquid crystalline polymer films prepared from these mixtures and to optical or electrooptical components comprising polymer networks and liquid crystalline polymer films prepared from such mixtures. Further, the invention relates to the use of the chiral or achiral rod shaped compounds as components of a cross-linkable liquid crystalline mixture in the production of orientated liquid crystalline polymers, to liquid crystalline mixtures comprising these compounds, to liquid crystalline polymers and liquid crystalline polymer networks prepared from such liquid crystalline mixtures, and to liquid crystalline devices comprising these compounds.
Abstract:
An electrically controlled medium for modulating light includes two plastic thin film layers (1) and (2), and a mixture layer (3) is arranged between the two plastic thin film layers (1) and (2). The mixture layer (3) is consisted of smectic liquid crystals (31), polymer materials (33) and dopants (32). Electrode layers (4) are coated on one side of each of the two plastic thin film layers (1) and (2) facing to the mixture layer (3), and the electrode layers (4) are connected to a device of electrical driving system (5). The liquid crystal molecules are allowed to exhibit different molecule alignments by controlling the amplitude, frequency and driving time of the electric power applied to the electrode layers (4), so that the electrically controlled medium for modulating light can be switched between a blurredly scattering state and a fully transparent state, even may be switched among a plurality of gradual translucent states of different gray levels. The medium is power saving, hard to be broken and eco friendly and it can maintain its state after power is off (memory effect). It has fast switching speed and can be broadly used for the fields of architectural decoration, privacy control areas, automotive electronics and glass, etc.
Abstract:
The invention refers to a composition comprising a liquid crystal material and an additive, preferably a dopant capable of forming a complex with said LC material, to a liquid crystal cell comprising this composition, uses thereof and to a method of improving the response time of a liquid crystal.
Abstract:
Liquid crystal mixture comprising compounds of formula (I) wherein R1: is H or a linear or branched alkyl group or branched alkenyl group R2: stands for a) H or F b) a linear or branched alkyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group c) a radical wherein R3, R4, R5, R6: are an alkyl group M1, M2: represent independently from another a single bond, —OC(═O), —C(═O)O—, —OCH2—, —NH— A: is a) a linear or branched alkan-α,ω-diylgroup or alkene-α,ω-diyl group b) the group —C(═Y)— wherein Y is CH-Z with Z being phenylen-1,4-diyl, optionally substituted by one to three halogenatoms, alkyl or alkyloxy groups, c) the group —CHY wherein Y is CH2-Z with Z being phenylen-1,4-diyl, optionally substituted by one to three halogenatoms, alkyl or alkyloxy groups d) a group wherein p, q are 0, 1 or 2; M3 is a single bond or —OC(═O)—, —C(═O)O—, —OCH2—, —CH2O—, —C≡C—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2CH2— the radicals are phenylen-1,4-diyl, X is H, OH, a linear or branched alkyl or alkyloxy group, m: is 0 or 1 X and M1-(A)m-M2-R2 together can constitute a) a ring of 4 to 16 members, b) a combination of two either directly linked or spiro-linked rings.
Abstract:
The novel ferroelectric liquid-crystalline mixtures are based on at least two mixture components of the general formula (I) ##STR1## but additionally contain at least one optically active dope from one or more of the following groupsa) optically active esters of tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acidb) optically active aryl 2,3-epoxyalkyl ethersc) optically active 1,3-dioxolan-4-yl ethers.The ferroelectric LC mixtures have a high spontaneous polarization and facilitate substantial compensation of the pitch of the helix in a nematic phase.
Abstract:
An ester derivative represented by the following formula (I). ##STR1## In the formula, V, W, X, Y and Z represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, respectively. The present invention also comprises a liquid crystal composition containing the ester derivative. The ester derivative can optimize the n value, lower the viscosity and reduce the threshold voltage Vth of the liquid crystal composition.
Abstract:
The novel liquid-crystalline mixtures (in the case of ferroelectric behavior they additionally contain an optically active compound as dope) are based on at least two mixture components of the general formula (I) and at least one carboxylate of the general formula (II), (III) or (IV). ##STR1## The mixtures have favorable properties for use in electrooptical display elements, such as high contrast, low melting point and short switching times.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a spatial light modulator of the type associating a layer of liquid crystal (2) with a layer of a photoconductive material (1), the photoconductive material being based on polysilane or polygermane.