Mechano-optical effects of cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers

Abstract

Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCE) are unique materials that combine the rubber elasticity with the optical properties of cholesteric liquid crystals (CLC). A marked feature of CLCE is that the characteristic wavelength of selective reflection of CLC is reversibly varied in response to the application and release of deformation. Exploring the mechano-optical response under various deformation modes is vital to understand comprehensively the physical properties of CLCE, and to consider their diverse deformation patterns during practical applications. In this study, we have employed four deformation types, i.e., uniaxial extension, compression, planar extension, and swelling via solvent, to characterize the optical response behavior of a CLCE film with helical axis oriented in the thickness direction.