Current trends in polymer dispersed liquid crystals

A novel cholesteric liquid crystal/polymer gel dispersion has been constructed which can be operated either in normal mode or reverse mode. The normal-mode cell is opaque in a field-OFF condition and clear in a field-ON condition. The reverse-mode cell is clear in a field-OFF condition and opaque in a field-ON condition. In the clear state, both cells are haze-free for all viewing angles. The cholesteric liquid crystal/polymer gel dispersion can be used to make normal-mode and reverse-mode light shutters. The reverse-mode shutter has very good electrooptical characteristics, exhibiting a sharp transition, small hysteresis, and fast dynamic response.<>