Open AccessPhoto- and electro-isomerization of azobenzenes based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystals doped with azobenzenes and their applications
Author(s) -
YenChen Liu,
Kuo-Hsing Cheng,
Shee–Uan Chen,
Andy Ying–Guey Fuh
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.22.004404
Subject(s) - isomerization , materials science , liquid crystal , polymer , isothermal process , doping , photochemistry , azobenzene , light scattering , optoelectronics , scattering , optics , chemical physics , chemistry , organic chemistry , thermodynamics , physics , composite material , catalysis
We report the photo-isomerization and electro-isomerization effects in azobenzenes-doped polymer-dispersed liquid crystals during the switching of the liquid crystal (LC) device between transparent (cis-isomers dominant) and scattering states (trans-isomers dominant). The isothermal phase transition, which is a result of the illumination of UV light and the application of DC voltage, was the main mechanism to switch the LC device between transparency, scattering, and gray scales. This study discusses in detail the variations in the population of cis-isomers as functions of the period and the amplitude of the applied DC voltage.