Liquid-crystal metasurfaces: Self-assembly for versatile optical functionality

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina V. Kasyanova ◽  
Maxim V. Gorkunov ◽  
Serguei P. Palto
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Fluid Phase ◽  
Photonic Devices ◽  
Light Diffraction ◽  
Applied Potential ◽  
Surface Alignment ◽  
Optical Functions ◽  
External Stimuli

Abstract Liquid crystals subjected to modulated surface alignment assemble into metasurface-type structures capable of various flat-optical functionalities, including light diffraction and focusing, deflection and splitting. Remaining in a fluid phase, they are susceptible to external stimuli, and, in particular, can be efficiently controled by low voltages. We overview the existing approaches to the design and fabrication of liquid-crystal metasurfaces, highlight their realized optical functions and discuss the applied potential in emerging photonic devices.

Topological liquid crystal superstructures as structured light lasers

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (49) ◽  
pp. e2110839118
Author(s):  
Miha Papič ◽  
Urban Mur ◽  
Kottoli Poyil Zuhail ◽  
Miha Ravnik ◽  
Igor Muševič ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Structured Light ◽  
Topological Defects ◽  
Photonic Devices ◽  
Light Polarization ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Fabry Perot ◽  
Self Assembled ◽  
External Stimuli

Liquid crystals (LCs) form an extremely rich range of self-assembled topological structures with artificially or naturally created topological defects. Some of the main applications of LCs are various optical and photonic devices, where compared to their solid-state counterparts, soft photonic systems are fundamentally different in terms of unique properties such as self-assembly, self-healing, large tunability, sensitivity to external stimuli, and biocompatibility. Here we show that complex tunable microlasers emitting structured light can be generated from self-assembled topological LC superstructures containing topological defects inserted into a thin Fabry–Pérot microcavity. The topology and geometry of the LC superstructure determine the structuring of the emitted light by providing complex three-dimensionally varying optical axis and order parameter singularities, also affecting the topology of the light polarization. The microlaser can be switched between modes by an electric field, and its wavelength can be tuned with temperature. The proposed soft matter microlaser approach opens directions in soft matter photonics research, where structured light with specifically tailored intensity and polarization fields could be designed and implemented.

scholarly journals Supramolecular self-assembly and physical-gel formation in disc-like liquid crystals: a scalable predictive model for gelation and an application in photovoltaics

RSC Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 6335-6345
Author(s):  
Sehrish Iqbal ◽  
Ammar A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Predictive Model ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Gel Formation ◽  
Discotic Liquid Crystal ◽  
Physical Gel

The application of triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystal derivatives as physical gelators is investigated.

Orientation, interaction and laser assisted self-assembly of organic single-crystal micro-sheets in a nematic liquid crystal

Soft Matter ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (38) ◽  
pp. 7674-7679 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Rasna ◽  
K. P. Zuhail ◽  
U. V. Ramudu ◽  
R. Chandrasekar ◽  
J. Dontabhaktuni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Single Crystal ◽  
Nematic Liquid Crystal ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Nematic Liquid Crystals ◽  
Directed Assembly ◽  
Orientation Interaction ◽  
Organic Single Crystal

In this paper we report first experimental study on the orientation, interaction and directed-assembly of single crystal micro-sheets in nematic liquid crystals.

scholarly journals Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Photoresponsive Behavior of Liquid Crystals Based on Azobenzene

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1560
Author(s):  
Yaming Wu ◽  
Yuhai Liu ◽  
Jianxiang Chen ◽  
Runmiao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
1H Nmr Spectroscopy ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Cis Isomer

A new amphiphilic surfactant (C4-Azo-C5-HDA) was formed by liquid crystals (LCs) based on azobenzene, whose structures were characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The reversible hydrogelation upon changes in temperature and light exposure was also studied. Under the irradiation of UV light, the trans-isomer of C4-Azo-C5-HDA rapidly photoisomerized to the cis-isomer, resulting in rapid disruption of the gel. The thermotropic liquid crystal behavior of the gelator was investigated via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Polarizing Optical Microscopy (POM). The biocompatibility experiment of multi-stimulus response of the liquid crystal provides a potential driving force for the development of biomaterials.

scholarly journals Adjacent functional group effects on the assembly of columnar liquid crystals

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. 379-385
Author(s):  
Carson O. Zellman ◽  
Danielle Vu ◽  
Vance E. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
The Self ◽  
Clearing Temperature ◽  
Crystal Phases ◽  
Potential Strategy ◽  
The Impact

Although the impact of individual functional groups on the self-assembly of columnar liquid crystal phases has been widely studied, the effect of varying multiple substituents has received much less attention. Herein, we report a series of dibenzo[a,c]phenazines containing an alcohol or ether adjacent to an electron-withdrawing ester or acid. With one exception, these difunctional mesogens form columnar phases. The phase behavior appeared to be dominated by the electron-withdrawing substituent; transition temperatures were similar to derivatives with these groups in isolation. In most instances, the addition of an electron-donating group ortho to an ester or acid suppressed the melting temperature and elevated the clearing temperature, leading to broader liquid crystal thermal ranges. This effect was more pronounced for derivatives functionalized with longer chain hexyloxy groups. These results suggest a potential strategy for controlling the phase ranges of columnar liquid crystals and achieving room temperature mesophases.

scholarly journals Periodic assembly of nanoparticle arrays in disclinations of cholesteric liquid crystals

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 2137-2142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfeng Li ◽  
Elisabeth Prince ◽  
Sangho Cho ◽  
Alinaghi Salari ◽  
Youssef Mosaddeghian Golestani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Cholesteric Liquid Crystal ◽  
Topological Defects ◽  
Spatial Inhomogeneity ◽  
Cholesteric Phase ◽  
Anisotropic Surface ◽  
Linear Defects

An important goal of the modern soft matter science is to discover new self-assembly modalities to precisely control the placement of small particles in space. Spatial inhomogeneity of liquid crystals offers the capability to organize colloids in certain regions such as the cores of the topological defects. Here we report two self-assembly modes of nanoparticles in linear defects-disclinations in a lyotropic colloidal cholesteric liquid crystal: a continuous helicoidal thread and a periodic array of discrete beads. The beads form one-dimensional arrays with a periodicity that matches half a pitch of the cholesteric phase. The periodic assembly is governed by the anisotropic surface tension and elasticity at the interface of beads with the liquid crystal. This mode of self-assembly of nanoparticles in disclinations expands our ability to use topological defects in liquid crystals as templates for the organization of nanocolloids.

Liquid Crystal Influenced Self-assembly in Mesogenic Polymer and Liquid Crystal Blends

2004 ◽  
Vol 856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanfang Li ◽  
Carmen Otilia Catanescu ◽  
Liang-Chy Chien
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Polymer Network ◽  
Monomer Concentration ◽  
Curing Temperature ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Photo Polymerization ◽  
Anisotropic Elastic ◽  
Polymerization Conditions

ABSTRACTIn this work, we found that by performing photo-polymerization of the mesogenic monomer RM257 in liquid crystals, well organized polymer walls were formed through out the cell by self-assembly of the polymer within the anisotropic host – the liquid crystal. The polymerization conditions, which were parameterized as UV intensity, photo-reactivity (characterized by photo initiator concentration), curing temperature, monomer concentration and mesophase of the liquid crystal host, were systematically varied. Different liquid crystal host also raised some difference in polymer network. We believe this kind of morphology comes from spinodal decomposition and the anisotropic elastic property of the liquid crystal host. It is found that for RM257 and low molecular weight nematic liquid crystals a monomer concentration of 5% is sufficient to use liquid crystal hosts to work as templates for well structured polymer walls.

scholarly journals Photo-Aligned Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Devices with Novel Electro-Optic Characteristics

Crystals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 563
Author(s):  
Vladimir Chigrinov ◽  
Qi Guo ◽  
Aleksey Kudreyko
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Berry Phase ◽  
Photonic Devices ◽  
Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal ◽  
Optical Elements ◽  
Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals ◽  
Liquid Crystal Devices ◽  
Alignment Technique ◽  
Photo Alignment

This paper examines different applications of ferroelectric liquid crystal devices based on photo-alignment. Successful application of the photo-alignment technique is considered to be a critical breakthrough. A variety of display and photonic devices with azo dye aligned ferroelectric liquid crystals is presented: smart glasses, liquid crystal Pancharatnam–Berry phase optical elements, 2D/3D switchable lenses, and laser therapy devices. Comparison of electro-optical behavior of ferroelectric liquid crystals is described considering the performance of devices. This paper facilitates the optimization of device design, and broadens the possible applications in the display and photonic area.

scholarly journals Heliconical-layered nanocylinders (HLNCs) – hierarchical self-assembly in a unique B4 phase liquid crystal morphology

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 959-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasan Shadpour ◽  
Ahlam Nemati ◽  
Nicola Jane Boyd ◽  
Lin Li ◽  
Marianne Estelle Prévôt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Crystal Morphology ◽  
Phase Liquid

Hierarchical self-assembly in bent-core liquid crystals – the B4 phase with heliconical-layered nanocylinder morphology.

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