Open AccessLong-pitch cholesteric liquid crystal cell for switchable achromatic reflection
Author(s) -
Ki-Han Kim,
HyeJung Jin,
Kyoung-Ho Park,
Joun-Ho Lee,
Jae Chang Kim,
TaeHoon Yoon
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.016745
Subject(s) - achromatic lens , optics , polarizer , materials science , liquid crystal , reflection (computer programming) , cholesteric liquid crystal , texture (cosmology) , reflector (photography) , wavelength , light scattering , planar , focal length , scattering , liquid crystal display , optoelectronics , birefringence , physics , lens (geology) , computer science , light source , computer graphics (images) , artificial intelligence , image (mathematics) , programming language
We propose a switchable achromatic reflector using a long-pitch cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) whose Bragg reflection wavelength is chosen to be infrared by controlling the pitch of the CLC so that the planar texture is transparent over the entire visible wavelength. By using the light scattering of the focal conic texture, achromatic reflection can be achieved. Both textures are stable at zero electric field and the operating voltage of the proposed CLC device is much lower than that of conventional CLC devices. The proposed switchable reflector, which can be operated at a low voltage with low power, can be applied to reflective displays and to light shutters. By coupling with a reflective polarizer the efficiency of light scattering at the focal conic texture can be enhanced.