Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology. Section A. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol.367, 3075-3083, 2001
Influence of mechanical deformation on electrooptical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal films
The influence of mechanical deformations such as stretching and bending on the electrooptical properties of the polymer dispersed smectic A (SA) liquid crystal (PDLC) films has been investigated. The PDLC films were formed by the solvent induced phase separation method and cooling of the dispersed system to temperature below the temperature of N-phase to SA-phase transition. The electrooptical behaviour based on field controlled light scattering and transmitting of the stressed and unstressed PDLC films was studied. The characteristic changes of the light transmittance and threshold voltage of electrooptical response in elastic deformed PDLC films are found. The physical nature of observed phenomena is discussed in connection with the change of PDLC morphology. The received data make it possible to evaluate the deformed PDLC film electrooptics and may be used for designing of the large-area sun-light-protection automobile composite glasses, switchable windows, orangery covers as well as flexible light valves and shutters.