EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N28269/01 |
Title: |
HIGH TILT ANTIFERROELECTRIC LIQUID CRYSTALS FOR NOVEL OPTICAL DEVICE CONFIGURATIONS |
Principal Investigator: |
Goodby, Professor JW |
Other Investigators: |
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Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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Project Partners: |
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Department: |
Chemistry |
Organisation: |
University of Hull |
Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
Starts: |
01 October 2000 |
Ends: |
30 September 2003 |
Value (£): |
172,361
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
Electronics |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Related Grants: |
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Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
A recent investigation by Lagerwall et all concerning the switching of antiferroelectric liquid crystals that have high tilt angles has yielded some very exciting possibilities for the development/invention of new optical devices. They found that when the tilt anle in the antiferroelectric phase reaches 45 degrees there is an abrupt change in the optical properties of the antiferroelectric state with respect to the switched ferroelectric states. The optic axis in the two switched bookshelf ferroelectric states lies in the plane of a device that has a surface stabilised geometry. In the antiferroelectric state, however, the optic axis is perpendicular to the surfaces of the device. In this orientation the phase is homeotropic. Switching occurs between crossed polars the antiferroelectric state is uniformly black! This effect can form the basis of new device configurations, give greater scope to grey scale, and remove the problems of having to unidirectionally align the antiferroelectric phase. Scattering devices become possible that do not need polarizers and hence will have much brighter appearances. Our objective is to design high tilt antiferroelectric liquid crystals that are in this phase at room temperature.
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Key Findings |
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
Summary |
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Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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Project URL: |
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Further Information: |
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Organisation Website: |
http://www.hull.ac.uk |