Performance improvements for switchable H-PDLC gratings using morphological studies

Adam K. Fontecchio; Gregory P. Crawford; Charles C. He; David A. Content

doi:10.1117/12.448253

13 November 2001 Performance improvements for switchable H-PDLC gratings using morphological studies

Adam K. Fontecchio, Gregory P. Crawford, Charles C. He, David A. Content

Proceedings Volume 4458, Solar and Switching Materials; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.448253
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

We have used atomic force microscopy (AFM) tapping techniques to study the droplet cavity morphology of a Holographically-formed Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (H- PDLC). The samples were created using a Coherent Verdi laser at 532 nm to holographically form a transmission grating structure within the liquid crystal / polymer composite. The gratings were removed from their glass substrates and the liquid crystal removed, allowing us to image the inside of the droplet cavities. We found that the surface structure is rough, and that the structure varies depending on the polymer used in the material set. One result is a cavity that has a dimpled morphology. We report our investigations of the material sets, which include AFM images, image analysis of the structures, and the potential implications of such structures on liquid crystal anchoring within the droplet cavities.

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Adam K. Fontecchio, Gregory P. Crawford, Charles C. He, and David A. Content "Performance improvements for switchable H-PDLC gratings using morphological studies", Proc. SPIE 4458, Solar and Switching Materials, (13 November 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.448253

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