Photochemical Phase Transition Behavior of Liquid Crystals in the Presence of Non-Mesogenic Molecules

摘要

Photochemically induced nematic (N)-isotropic (I) phase transition behavior and domain formation of the azobenzene/liquid crystal (LC) mixtures in the presence of non-mesogenic dopants were evaluated. When a bent-shaped non-mesogenic molecule was added to the azobenzene LCs, formation of I domains was formed effectively on photoirradiation to cause the trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene. The domain formation results from the aggregation of cis isomers, which could be enhanced to more extent with the aid of the bent-shaped dopant with a common structural feature to the cis-azobenzene. When the formation of the I domain proceeds quickly upon photoirradiation, the photochemical phase transition is induced more effectively.