Helix-Free Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals: Electro Optics and Possible Applications

Abstract

This is a review of results from studying ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) of a new type developed for fast low-voltage displays and light modulators. These materials are helix-free FLCs, which are characterized by spatially periodic deformation of smectic layers and a small value of spontaneous polarization (less than 50 nC/cm2). The FLC director is reoriented due to the motion of solitons at the transition to the Maxwellian mechanism of energy dissipation. A theoretical model is proposed for describing the FLC deformation and director reorientation. The frequency and field dependences of the optical response time are studied experimentally for modulation of light transmission, scattering, and phase delay with a high rate. The hysteresis-free nature and smooth dependence of the optical response on the external electric field in the frequency range up to 6 kHz is demonstrated, as well as bistable light scattering with memorization of an optical state for a time exceeding the switching time by up to 6 orders of magnitude. Due to the spatially inhomogeneous light phase delay, the ability of a laser beam to cause interference is effectively suppressed. The fastest FLCs under study are compatible with 3D, FLC on Silicon (FLCoS), and Field Sequential Colors (FSC) technologies.

Special Issue on Liquid Crystal on Silicon Devices: Modeling and Advanced Spatial Light Modulation Applications

“…Regarding the analysis of LC materials enabled for LCoS devices, we consider the review paper by Andreev et al [9]. They investigate ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) of a new type developed for fast low-voltage displays and light modulators.…”

P‐11.4: Concept of Electronic Controlling the Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Shutter at Unequal Durations of its Open and Closed States

“…Ferroelectic liquid crystal (FLC) modulators (shutters) with low control voltage and high switching frequency [1,2] are well suited for high-speed stereoscopic glasses [3]. The correct performance of the FLC modulator (avoiding the degradation of the FLC substance) requires the zero mean value of the electrical current flowing throught the FLC layer during each period of the alternating positive and negative half periods of the voltage.…”

“…c , -U c should be chosen according with the values of transient time trans FLC of the FLC shutter to satisfy expressions (1) and(2).…”

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals: Physics and Applications

“…High speed, low power consumption, high resolution and high contrast ratio are in high demand for next generation displays [1][2][3][4] and modern photonic devices [5][6][7]. However, in terms of response time, liquid crystals (LCs) still have huge space to be improved compared with the competing technologies, such as micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) [8] or micro-LED [9].…”