liquid crystals introduction
DESCRIPTION
LIQUID CRYSTALS Introduction. LC mesophases LCs in the bulk and in confined geometries optical properties of LCs fluctuations and light scattering applications of LCs. AG GREGATION STA TES OF MATTER. heating. cooling. Example : H 2 O molekule. Liquid phase. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
LIQUID CRYSTALSLIQUID CRYSTALSIntroductionIntroduction
LIQUID CRYSTALSLIQUID CRYSTALSIntroductionIntroduction
• LC mesophases• LCs in the bulk and in confined geometries • optical properties of LCs• fluctuations and light scattering• applications of LCs
AGAGGREGATIONGREGATION STA STATES OF MATTERTES OF MATTERAGAGGREGATIONGREGATION STA STATES OF MATTERTES OF MATTER
Solid phase (crystal) Liquid phase
heating
cooling
Example:
H2O molekule
TTHHERMOTROPERMOTROPICIC LIQUID CRYSTALSLIQUID CRYSTALSTTHHERMOTROPERMOTROPICIC LIQUID CRYSTALSLIQUID CRYSTALSheating
cooling
Solid phase (crystal) Liquid phaseLiquid crytalline phaseLiquid crytalline phase
Rod-like molecules (calamatic LCs) example: alkhyl-cianobiphenyls
Synthetic materials
Texture of theLC phase observedby polarization optical microscopy
Disc-shape molecules (discotic LCs)example: triphenylene derivatives
LIOTROPLIOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTALSIC LIQUID CRYSTALSLIOTROPLIOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTALSIC LIQUID CRYSTALSdecreasing concentration
increasing concentration
Solid phase (crystal) Liquid phaseLiquid crystalline phaseLiquid crystalline phase
Examples: soaps, lipids, viruses, DNA...
Molecular Molecular solutionssolutionsMolecular Molecular solutionssolutions
100 nm
TM virus
Natural materials
POLYMER LIQUID CRYSTALSPOLYMER LIQUID CRYSTALSPOLYMER LIQUID CRYSTALSPOLYMER LIQUID CRYSTALS
main chain polymer LCs
Examples: Kevlar (du Pont), solutions of biopolymers
side chain polymer LCs
Kevlar
GENERAL PROPERTIES OF LC-MESOPHASESGENERAL PROPERTIES OF LC-MESOPHASESGENERAL PROPERTIES OF LC-MESOPHASESGENERAL PROPERTIES OF LC-MESOPHASES
1) They flow and form surface level(similar to liquids)
2) They exhibit anisotropic material properties(similar to crystals)
3) In some cases they can transmitt mechanical stress (similar to crystals)
Example: optical birefringence
nn11nn11
nn22nn22
Example: bend strain
THERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASESTHERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASESTHERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASESTHERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASES
Parameters describing the liquid crystalline phase:•Orientational order •Positional order •Bond orientational order
smectic A phase (SmA)
nematic phase (N)
smectic C phase (SmC)
columnar phase (2D lattice)
of achiral moleculesof achiral molecules
NEMATIC LC PHASE – theoretical descriptionNEMATIC LC PHASE – theoretical descriptionNEMATIC LC PHASE – theoretical descriptionNEMATIC LC PHASE – theoretical descriptionBasic thermodynamic argument for the I-N phase transition:Although orientational alignment of the molecules results in the loss of the entropy S, this loss is compensated by a decrease of the interaction energy U (because Van der Waals attractive forces are increased, molecular packing is optimized, ...)
n=directorˆ
Microscopic description: f() angular distribution functionf()d = fraction of the molecules pointing into a solid angle head to tail invariance of the nematic phase requires f()=f(-)!!
F = U – TSF = U – TS
nematic order paramer
SN = <((3cos2)-1)/2> = df )(1)cos3(2
1 2
Maier-Saupe theory: U= –u SN2 ,
Isotropic phase: SN = 0, totally aligned N phase SN = 1.
dffkS )(ln)(
4ln)(ln)(2 dffkTuSF NNI
NEMATIC - ISOTROPIC PHASE TRANSITIONNEMATIC - ISOTROPIC PHASE TRANSITIONNEMATIC - ISOTROPIC PHASE TRANSITIONNEMATIC - ISOTROPIC PHASE TRANSITION
SN can be measured via anisotropy of the material properties.example: diamagnetic susceptibility
x
z
y
z= n(II<cos2>+ <sin2>) = n(+(2/3)aSN)
x= y = n(–(1/3)aSN)SN=(z–x)/(na)
=(II+2)/3, a= (II-), n=N/Vwhere molecular parameters
should be known from other measurements.
ELASTIC DEFORMATIONS IN NEMATICSELASTIC DEFORMATIONS IN NEMATICSELASTIC DEFORMATIONS IN NEMATICSELASTIC DEFORMATIONS IN NEMATICSNematic phase can transmit forces in casesin which the corresponding deformation perturbs the long-range orientational order.
For example: shear stress will produce usual viscous liquid flow,
F
F
while splay, twist and bend deformations will produce elastic response.
Elastic energy density of distortion (continuum theory):
Frank elastic constants: Ki 10-12 N
23
22
21 ˆˆ(
2
1)ˆˆ(
2
1)ˆ(
2
1nnKnnKnKFd
EFFECT OF INTERFACE INTERACTIONSEFFECT OF INTERFACE INTERACTIONSEFFECT OF INTERFACE INTERACTIONSEFFECT OF INTERFACE INTERACTIONS
Nematic phase between two planar surfaces.
Surface forces generally induce bulk aligment in some preferential direction (easy axis).
Approximation of infinitely strong anchoring (B =) is often reasonable.
Fsurface=f0+Bsin2
Surface anchoring energy coefficients: B B 10-5 N/m
Rapini-Papoular approximation
Nematic phase cofinedto spherical droplets.
F=Fsurface+Fd=MIN
easy axis
n̂= angle betweenn and the easy axis^
glassglass
LCLC
Polymer surface is melted due to applied force and melted polymer molecules align in the direction of the rubbing.
STANDARD STANDARD TECHNIQUE TOTECHNIQUE TO ACHIEVE PLANAR SURFACE ANCHORINGACHIEVE PLANAR SURFACE ANCHORING
STANDARD STANDARD TECHNIQUE TOTECHNIQUE TO ACHIEVE PLANAR SURFACE ANCHORINGACHIEVE PLANAR SURFACE ANCHORING
PolyimidePolyimide
glass
glass
Unidirectionalrubbing
ALIGNMENT OF LIQUID CRYSTALSALIGNMENT OF LIQUID CRYSTALSON RUBBED POLYMER SURFACEON RUBBED POLYMER SURFACE
ALIGNMENT OF LIQUID CRYSTALSALIGNMENT OF LIQUID CRYSTALSON RUBBED POLYMER SURFACEON RUBBED POLYMER SURFACE
Anisotropic interaction between the polymer substrate and the rod-shape liquid crystal molecules induces orientational ordering of the LC layer.
1 mm
Nematic LC texture in a cell without and with the alignment layer.
EFFECT OF EXTERNAL FIELDSEFFECT OF EXTERNAL FIELDSEFFECT OF EXTERNAL FIELDSEFFECT OF EXTERNAL FIELDSDue to head-tail invariance of the molecular arrangement, the nematic phase has no spontaneous macroscopic electric polarization P and magnetization M. External electric and magnetic fields produce induced polarization/magnetization (P=0eE, M=mH).
For dielectric polarization local field corrections are quite important!!
Pz= on(+(2/3) aSN)fhEz=o( II-1) Ez
Px= on(–(1/3) aSN) fhEx=o( -1) Exx
z
y h=3 /(2 +1) cavity field factor
f reaction field factor
Dielectric tensor in case of zIIn:^ = , 0 , 00 , , 00 , 0 , II
in general: = 1+ a(nn), where a=( II- ) is dielectric anisotropy.
^ ^
D= o(E+a(n·E)n)^ ^
DIELECTRIC ANISOTROPYDIELECTRIC ANISOTROPYDIELECTRIC ANISOTROPYDIELECTRIC ANISOTROPY
2020 3030 4040 5050 70706060
Temperature dependenceof the dielectric constant and the DSC response of the liquid crystal 5CB.
(T) DSC
+–
FREEDERICKSZ EFFECTFREEDERICKSZ EFFECTFREEDERICKSZ EFFECTFREEDERICKSZ EFFECT
Electrostatic free energy density:
For a>0 electric field tends to align the LC director n along the field direction.In confined geometries this tendency is opposed by surface anchoring. Competition
results in the threshold behaviour. Example: nematic cell with planar anchoring:
z
x
E<Eth E>Eth
+– U U
Reorientation: n=n0+n(z), n0=ex,, nIIez, approximation: n(z)= (n)sin(z/d)
Total free energy density: Ft=Fe+Fd=
2a E)n(EED ˆ
2
1
2
1
2
10
20 eF
Cznz
zn
2
0
2
1 ))((2
1)(
2
1 2a EK
ath
K
dE
0
1
critical field ~ 1V/m
044
02
12
0
d
dndzF
d
t
2a EK
^
^
THERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASESTHERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASESTHERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASESTHERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASES
Via intramolecular interactions chirality is transmitted from the microscopic to the macroscopic scale.
Chiral smectic A phase (SmA*)Similar to achiral SmA,but exhibits optical activity
Chiral nematic phase (N*), known also as cholesteric phase (Ch)Spontaneously twisted
Chiral smectic C phase (SmC*)Tilted and spontaneously twisted(exhibits ferroelectricity)
of chiral moleculesof chiral molecules
p/2
Example: LC phases ofExample: LC phases of DN DNA in aqueous solutionsA in aqueous solutionsExample: LC phases ofExample: LC phases of DN DNA in aqueous solutionsA in aqueous solutions
spherulite of the cholesteric phasec>10 wt %
hexagonal LC phase
segment of DNA
OPTIOPTICAL PROPERTIESCAL PROPERTIES
OPTIOPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE NEMATIC PHASECAL PROPERTIES OF THE NEMATIC PHASEOPTIOPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE NEMATIC PHASECAL PROPERTIES OF THE NEMATIC PHASE
nn--nn = = nn 0.2 0.2LC phases have very large birefringence:
= 1+a(nn), a=( –)=nSN( – )fh
Dielectric tensor at optical frequencies (~1015 Hz), refractive index n=()1/2
n^
Optical axis is parallelto the nematic director n.^
birefringent medium
n̂(k/k)
extraordinary polarizationordinary polarization
Ordinary beam: no= n
Extraordinary beam:
2
2
2
2
2
cossin1
nnne
II
k=(/c)n
tiiEeAtr krsE ),(
sE
OPTIOPTICAL BIREFRINGENCECAL BIREFRINGENCEOPTIOPTICAL BIREFRINGENCECAL BIREFRINGENCE
NI
Nematic liquid crystals are stronglybirefringent “liquids”!!!
((nnee-n-noo)) S SNN
=(2nn)d)d))//Phase retardation between ordinary and extraordinary ray
in d=4 thick LC layer is 2
Phase retardation can be mediated by relatively low external voltages (Freedericksz effect).
Liquid crystal have large electrooptic response!!!
COLORFULL NEMATIC TEXTURESCOLORFULL NEMATIC TEXTURESobserved between crossed polarizersobserved between crossed polarizers
COLORFULL NEMATIC TEXTURESCOLORFULL NEMATIC TEXTURESobserved between crossed polarizersobserved between crossed polarizers
Analyser
Polariser
Optical polarization microscopy:
=(2nn)d)d))//
Phase retardation between ordinary and extraordinary ray
TransmittanceTransmittance= (
depends on local orientation of the director field n(r)^
OPTIOPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE CHOLESTERIC PHASECAL PROPERTIES OF THE CHOLESTERIC PHASEOPTIOPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE CHOLESTERIC PHASECAL PROPERTIES OF THE CHOLESTERIC PHASE
Cholesteric LCs are natural 1D photonic band-gap media !!
Spatial periodicity (pitch p) of the director field n(r) is typically in the range of optical wavelengths.
ImK means strong selective reflection for ~p.
n(z)=(cos(qz), sin(qz), 0)/2
z
^
Spiralling index ellipsoid.(Analytical solutions of WE for kIIz and d=)
q=2/px
Dielectric tensor in x,y plane: = 1+a(nn) =
a+bcos(2qz), bsin(2qz) bsin(2qz), a-bcos(2qz)
a=( +)/2, b=( -)/2
^ ^
SELECTIVE REFLECTION and MSELECTIVE REFLECTION and MAUGUINAUGUIN LIMIT LIMITSELECTIVE REFLECTION and MSELECTIVE REFLECTION and MAUGUINAUGUIN LIMIT LIMIT• For ~p circularly polarized beam which matches the chirality of the structure is totally reflected. The width of the reflection (forbidden) band ~n·p.
Theory versus practice.
• For << p the polarization plane of the linearly polarized light is rotated synchro-nously with the spontaneous twist of the structure (Mauguin limit). The material acts as a strongly optically active medium.
LIGHT SCATTERINGLIGHT SCATTERING
LIGHT SCATTERING IN THE NEMATIC PHASELIGHT SCATTERING IN THE NEMATIC PHASELIGHT SCATTERING IN THE NEMATIC PHASELIGHT SCATTERING IN THE NEMATIC PHASEOne of the most profound optical manifestations of the thermal fluctuations.
n0
q
Fd=(V/2)n1(q)(K1q2+K3q 2)+n2(q)(K2q
2+K3q 2)
1 2
kT
dFd/dni = -ini/t, i=1,2
Relaxation rate: (1/ )(K/)q2
10-5 cm2/s
n(r)=n0(r)+n(r) nn((rr)=)=nn((qq)e)eiiqrqr
2 2
q
kT
Fluctuations of the director field n(r) produce increase of the elastic energy Fd
Ki 10-12 N
10-6 –1 s
nn((qq,t,t))==nn((qq,0,0))ee-t/-t/
d
Overdamped relaxation:
nn
Laser
Detector (I(t)|Es(t) |2)
sample
t)(t'E)(t'E
t)(t')E(t'E(t)g
ss
ss(1)
l
tl
lSleC )/(
H
V
DLS provides information on of different fluctuation modes nn((qq,t).,t).This gives the values of (Ki/) for different types of deformations.
EKSPERIMENTAL ANALYSISEKSPERIMENTAL ANALYSISEKSPERIMENTAL ANALYSISEKSPERIMENTAL ANALYSISPhoton correlation spectroscopy (known as PCS or DLS): probing range 10-9 –103 s
Largest scatteringcross section for
nn((qq= = qs)) . .
g(2)(t)=<I(t’)I(t’+t)>/<I>2
we measure
kkq fS ˆfk
ik
2(1)(2) (t))g(1(t)g
scattered light
transmitted light
LIGHT SCATTERING LIGHT SCATTERING FROM CONFINED LC STRUCTURESFROM CONFINED LC STRUCTURES
LIGHT SCATTERING LIGHT SCATTERING FROM CONFINED LC STRUCTURESFROM CONFINED LC STRUCTURES
A) Spherical LC droplets of radius R qmin/R, (1/ )min (K/)R-2
B) Thin LC film of thickness D ~ .
DLS gives information on cavity size (R or D)and surface anchoring koefficient B.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
1/
qR
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
qs=(0,0,qz)1/
1/
qsD
qs=(qx,0,0)
?
qmin/D, (1/ )min (K/)D-2
s
APPLICATIONS OF LIQUID CRYSTALSAPPLICATIONS OF LIQUID CRYSTALSAPPLICATIONS OF LIQUID CRYSTALSAPPLICATIONS OF LIQUID CRYSTALS
Most important comercial productsbased on LCs are LCDs.
Other applications:•optical switching devices, •optical filters, •temperature and stress sensors, •special paints and colorants, •cosmetics, •etc.
Present top LCD:WUXGA (wide ultra extended graphics array) 1920 x 1200 pixels.
ElectrodesVVoltage ONoltage ON
PolarizPolarized output lighted output light
No output light
LLiquid iquid CCrystal rystal DDisplay (LCD)isplay (LCD) PRI PRINCIPLENCIPLELLiquid iquid CCrystal rystal DDisplay (LCD)isplay (LCD) PRI PRINCIPLENCIPLE
Picture element is whitePicture element is white Picture element is blackPicture element is black
PolariserPolariser
Analyser Analyser
FROM PICTURE ELEMENT to THE DISPLAYFROM PICTURE ELEMENT to THE DISPLAYFROM PICTURE ELEMENT to THE DISPLAYFROM PICTURE ELEMENT to THE DISPLAY
Segment-type displayActive matrix display
semiconductorplatform
composition of TFT LCDcolour filter
polariser
liquid crystalmaterial
commonelectrode backlight
skupna elektroda
skupna elektrodasegment electrode
(RGB)
colours
SWITCHABLE WINDOWSSWITCHABLE WINDOWSSWITCHABLE WINDOWSSWITCHABLE WINDOWS
voltage off voltage on
Switchable windowsare made frompolymer dispersedliquid crystals (PDLC)
OTHER APPLICATIONSOTHER APPLICATIONSOTHER APPLICATIONSOTHER APPLICATIONS
LCs in ART: Art-painting made by use ofthe polysiloxane LC paint.left: in reflected lightright: in transmitted light
Car paint from chiral LCs.
Temperature sensorfrom cholesteric LCs
Olenik 2001