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Switchable Gratings from Polymerized Nematic Emulsions
Author(s) -
De Filpo G.,
Nicoletta F. P.,
Macchione M.,
Cupelli D.,
Chidichimo G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/1616-3028(200112)11:6<457::aid-adfm457>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - materials science , photomask , liquid crystal , diffraction efficiency , optics , diffraction , diffraction grating , grating , electric field , scanning electron microscope , optoelectronics , polymer , photopolymer , optical microscope , polymerization , nanotechnology , composite material , resist , physics , layer (electronics) , quantum mechanics
Permanent diffraction gratings can be built in polymer dispersed liquid crystals by using either photomasks or crossed laser beams, in order to modulate the light intensity across the film during the curing process. The intensity of light diffracted from these gratings can be controlled with an applied electric field. In this paper, we report our results on the formation of permanent gratings in nematic emulsions, photopolymerized through a photomask. The gratings are permanently stored and the diffraction efficiency can be modulated with an electric field. The grating structure has been investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The advantages of using nematic emulsions in photopatterning are discussed.