Fast electro-optical switching and high contrast ratio in epoxy-based polymer dispersed liquid crystals

摘要

We report the observation of an electro-optical switching effect from an opaque to a transparent state occurring at a threshold value of the applied field in a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC). Optical responses of the composite film under the conditions of an externally applied ac electric field (2-5 V_(p-p)/μ) and a film thickness (50μm), were determined using an Argon laser (wavelength 514nm). The experimental results showed promising switching times with a rise time of 190μs and a decay time of 2ms and an exceptionally high contrast ratio up to 410. These results demonstrate the validity of employing this new PDLC in electro-optical devices.