Liquid Crystals · 1993 · 43 citations · 11 references
Materials ScienceNovel Azo-dyeMultiferroicsOptical MaterialsEngineeringFerroelectric ApplicationOptical PropertiesPhotonic MaterialsApplied PhysicsCondensed Matter PhysicsFerroelectric MaterialsSpontaneous PolarizationLight Induced TransitionsInduced Phase TransitionsFunctional MaterialsPhotophysical PropertyChemistryCrystallography
Abstract We demonstrate that the addition of small amounts of a novel azo-dye to a ferroelectric liquid crystal and illumination with low intensity (∼ 0.8 mW cm−2) UV light can result in reversible, isothermal phase transitions and dramatic changes in the properties of the system. In particular we examine light induced transitions between the S∗1, and S∗C phases and the consequent photomechanical regulation of spontaneous polarization.
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