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Microstructure-Stabilized Blue Phase Liquid Crystals.

ABSTRACT: We show that micron-scale two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb microwells can significantly improve the stability of blue phase liquid crystals (BPLCs). Polymeric microwells made by direct laser writing improve various features of the blue phase (BP) including a dramatic extension of stable temperature range and a large increase both in reflectivity and thermal stability of the reflective peak wavelength. These results are mainly attributed to the omnidirectional anchoring of the isotropically oriented BP molecules at the polymer walls of the hexagonal microwells and at the top and bottom substrates. This leads to an omnidirectional stabilization of the entire BPLC system. This study not only provides a novel insight into the mechanism for the BP formation in the 2D microwell but also points to an improved route to stabilize BP using 2D microwell arrays.

SUBMITTER: Lin JD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6275947 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Microstructure-Stabilized Blue Phase Liquid Crystals.

Lin Jia-De JD Daniel Ho Ying-Lung YL Chen Lifeng L Lopez-Garcia Martin M Jiang Shun-An SA Taverne Mike P C MPC Lee Chia-Rong CR Rarity John G JG

ACS omega 20181113 11

We show that micron-scale two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb microwells can significantly improve the stability of blue phase liquid crystals (BPLCs). Polymeric microwells made by direct laser writing improve various features of the blue phase (BP) including a dramatic extension of stable temperature range and a large increase both in reflectivity and thermal stability of the reflective peak wavelength. These results are mainly attributed to the omnidirectional anchoring of the isotropically oriente ...[more]

PMID: 30533577

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