Memory effect of ferroelectric liquid crystal stabilized by polymer fibers

We investigated the bistable state of the molecular orientation of ferroelectric liquid crystal that is formed between micro-polymer fibers, and demonstrated the occurrence of a memory effect when the smectic layer structure is corrected. In this study, we introduced high-pretilt alignment layer and formed polymer fibers in the liquid crystal by using the photopolymerization phase separation method in order to make the creasing and bending of the layer in the direction of thickness unidirectional. In addition, we treated the composite film of the liquid crystal and the polymer fiber by applying an AC voltage in order to hold the cone axis of the liquid crystal molecule in a rubbing direction during the gradual cooling process in which the liquid crystal molecule tilt (phase transition from the smectic A phase to the smectic C* phase). The results of trial production confirmed an alleviation of the bending of the smectic layer in the horizontal plane and the occurrence of a memory effect, resulting in a minute distribution of bistable switching domains and a memory function involving area-wise grayscale.