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Effects of Monomer Functionality on Switchable Holographic Gratings Formed in Polymer‐Dispersed Liquid‐Crystal Cells
Author(s) -
Ramsey Robert A.,
Sharma Suresh C.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.200800512
Subject(s) - materials science , diffraction efficiency , liquid crystal , microstructure , holography , polymer , monomer , optoelectronics , diffraction grating , diffraction , laser , acrylate , wavelength , optics , grating , composite material , physics
Switching characteristics: The 633 nm wavelength of an He–Ne laser is used to fabricate holographic transmission gratings in polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal cells. The microstructure and diffraction efficiency ( η ) both improve with increasing functionality (see figure). For functionalities of 2.5 or more, η approaches 34 % and can be switched off with electric fields of about 20 MV m −1 .We investigate the effects of monomer functionality on the formation and switching characteristics of holographic transmission gratings in polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal cells fabricated by using the 633 nm wavelength of an He–Ne laser. We present results for the microstructure, diffraction efficiency η , and switching characteristics of gratings formed with acrylate monomers of functionalities ranging from 2 to 4. The microstructure and diffraction efficiency are sensitive to functionality; both improve with increasing functionality. For functionalities of 2.5 or more, η approaches 34 % and can be switched off with electric fields of about 20 MV m −1 .