Nano-structure-induced fast electro-optical effect of (polymer/liquid crystal) composite system

The Kerr effect was investigated for an optically isotropic phase of the composite system consisting of a polymer and a liquid crystal (LC). A polymer-induced isotropic phase was created by mixing the LC with a polymer that is compatible to the LC. The Kerr effect measurements showed that the magnitude of the Kerr coefficient, K for a isotropic phase was reduced by mixing with the polymer compared to the pure LC, indicating that the polymer chains dissolved in the LC shortened the correlation length of the orientational order of the LC. The response speed of the Kerr effect was enhanced by mixing with the polymer for the processes of both the rise and the decay. The achievement reported here suggests that the composite has some potential for applications as a fast light modulator.