Fast-response and scattering-free polymer network liquid crystals for infrared light modulators

Abstract

A fast-response and scattering-free homogeneously aligned polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) light modulator is demonstrated at λ=1.55 μm wavelength. Light scattering in the near-infrared region is suppressed by optimizing the polymer concentration such that the network domain sizes are smaller than the wavelength. The strong polymer network anchoring assists LC to relax back quickly as the electric field is removed. As a result, the PNLC response time is ∼250× faster than that of the E44 LC mixture except that the threshold voltage is increased by ∼25×.