We demonstrate a hysteresis-free polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystals (PSBP-LCs) using thermal recycles by means of enlarging the domain size of PSBP-LC and improving the uniformity of the crystal orientations of PSBP-LC. The crystal growth of PSBP-LCs bases on a competition between the heterogeneous nucleation and the homogeneous nucleation is also demonstrated and discussed. This study opens a new window for understanding the hysteresis of the PSBP-LC and assisting in designing many PSBP-LC-based photonic devices, such as displays, electrooptical switches, and electrically tunable focusing LC lenses.

A simple optical method to measure the electric-field-induced birefringence and Kerr constant of polymer-stabilized blue-phase liquid crystals (PSBP-LC) is demonstrated. By measuring the phase shift of PSBP-LC and the averaged refractive index of PSBP-LC at the voltage-off state, the ordinary refractive index and extraordinary refractive index of PSBP-LC as function of applied voltage can be obtained experimentally. As a result, the electric-field-induced birefringence and Kerr constant can be determined as well. The method we proposed can help in designing PSBP-LC-based photonic devices. V

We demonstrate a reflective polarizer-free electro-optical switch using dye-doped polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystals (DDPSBP-LC). At the voltage-off state, the dye molecules and liquid crystals form the structure of the double twist cylinders. As a result, the DDPSBP-LC is in dark state due to the combination of Bragg reflection and light absorption. At the voltage-on state, the blue phase structure is unwound locally. The DDPSBP-LC is then in bright state because of the small light absorption only. The applications of such a switch are shutter glass of 3D displays, and electronic papers.

Based on ceramic laser gelling process, the purpose of this research is to obtain a proper slurry, which can be employed to cast layer with a thickness smaller than 100 μm to improve the staircase effect occurred in layer manufacturing, by optimization of the water content to fabricate ceramic part with better surface. The slurry was composed of alumina particles with average size of 0.5 μm as the structure element, silica sol as an inorganic binder and ammonium polymethacrylate as a dispersant. The slurry was dispersed uniformly by a ball mill. The results revealed the variation of water content will significantly influence the viscosity of the slurry and the formability of the ceramic green part. High water content led to poor binding of the particles and induced the delamination of the consolidated layers. On the contrary, low water content led to high shear force between scraper and slurry surface; such force damaged the previous layer during the casting process. As a result, the water content of 34 wt% was the most favorable to casting thin layers. The capability of casting 40 μm layer, which is smaller than that obtained by previous studies, was achieved. Because of the thinner layer, the staircase effect was improved.

We demonstrate a reflective polarizer-free display using dyedoped polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystals (DDPSBP-LC). The mechanism is mainly the combination of electrically tunable light absorption and Bragg reflection. At the voltage-off state, the dye molecules and liquid crystals form the structure of the double twist cylinders. As a result, the DDPSBP-LC is in dark state due to the combination of Bragg reflection and light absorption. At the voltage-on state, the blue phase structure is unwound locally. The DDPSBP-LC is then in bright state because of the small light absorption only. The response time of DDPSBP-LC is fast, the viewing angle is wide, and the optical efficiency is high. The applications of such a switch are shutter glass of 3D displays, and electronic papers.