Optically-isotropic nanoencapsulated liquid crystal displays based on Kerr effect

Abstract

An innovative liquid crystal display (LCD), incorporating inplane switching mechanism with LC nanoencapsulation, is developed and its electro-optic (EO) performances are characterized. The nanoencapsulated LCDs exhibit electric-field induced transitions from an optically-isotropic state to an anisotropic one based on Kerr effect. Extremely small size of LC droplets embedded in the nanoencapsulated layer, less than a quarter of wavelength of incident light, appear transparent in the voltage-off state and gradually becomes birefringent in response to applied voltage, exhibiting the optical behavior of uniaxial retarder. Due to optically-isotropic nature and a large Kerr effect, they show wide viewing angle characteristics and good EO performances.