Electro-optic response of polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystals

The dynamic response of a polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC) is comprised of two distinct processes: Kerr effect-induced local reorientation and electrostriction-induced lattice distortion. A double exponential rise/decay model is proposed to analyze the underlying physical mechanisms. If the electric field is below a critical field (Ec), Kerr effect dominates and the response time is fast. However, when E>Ec electrostriction effect manifests, leading to an increased response time and a noticeable hysteresis. A higher polymer concentration helps suppress electrostriction, but the tradeoff is increased operation voltage. These results provide useful guidelines for future BPLC material and device optimizations. VC 2014 AIP Publishing LLC. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4890031]