High Transmission Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals

Abstract We present evidence that polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) with high on state transparency can be obtained following two conditions: the solubility of the liquid crystal within the pre-polymerized resin should be low and the resin itself should not be a mixture but a single chemical species. We prepared PDLC's according to such provisions and measured high on state transparencies. Experimental data have also been interpreted in terms of existing light transmission theories. Results indicate that the high transparency is associated with a high degree of homogeneity of the polymer matrix.