Short pitch cholesteric electro-optical device based on periodic polymer structures

The helical flexoelectro-optic effect produces a submillisecond, temperature-independent in-plane rotation of the optical axis and is potentially interesting for the display industry. The main drawback is that it relies on a texture, the uniform lying helix (ULH), which is intrinsically unstable. We present a method based on the use of periodic polymeric microchannels to create highly ordered and stable ULH structures. Electro-optic measurements performed on a test device show a large contrast ratio between bright and dark states (better then 100:1), fast switching (200 mu s), and large optical rotation (>30 degrees). (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics.