A Novel Phase and Light Scattering Effects in a (Smectic/Cholesteric) Composite System

Abstract

The phase behavior and optical properties of a liquid crystal(LC) composite (induced smectic phase formed by mixing two nematic LCs and one cholesteric LC) has been studied. The ternary composite displayed smectic A, cholesteric and blue phase. Unique circular texture was observed at cholesteric-smectic phase transition region. Without the electric field, the ternary system exhibited highly transparent and opaque states in a smectic phase and a cholesteric phase, respectively. Reversible and bistable transparent-opaque change was successfully realized in a cholesteric state of the ternary composite upon application of DC electric fields with high and low voltage.