Anisotropic Iridescence and Polarization Patterns in a Direct Ink Written Chiral Photonic Polymer

The iridescence of structural color and its polarization characteristics originate from the nanoscale organization materials. A major challenge in materials science is generating bright, lustrous hues seen nature through engineering, while simultaneously controlling interaction material with different light polarizations. In this work, a suitable chiral nematic liquid crystal elastomer ink synthesized for direct writing, which self-assembles into photonic structure. Tuning writing direction speed leads to programmed formation slanted axis, exhibits atypical selectivity. After crosslinking, freely programmable, chiroptical polymer obtained. strongly perspective-dependent appearance can function as specialized anticounterfeit markers, optical elements decorative iridescent coatings, or, demonstrated here, optically based signaling features.