2C06 Effects of phase structure and crosslinking density on grating formation of liquid crystalline netoworks containing azobenzene molecules

Abstract

Liquid crystalline networks containing azobenzene molecules were prepared by polymerization of mono-, bi-functional liquid crystalline monomers, azobenzene molecules with or without polymerizable group in a homogenous glass cell. Two types of LC networks were obtained : One has a smectic structure and the other have a nematic one. LC networks having the nematic structure was transparent compared to those having the smetic structure. The LC networks having the nematic structure was found to show higher diffraction efficiency than those having the smectic stucture.