Liquid crystal smart reflectors

Robert B. Meyer; Franklin Lonberg; Ching-Chao Chang

doi:10.1117/12.209799

22 May 1995 Liquid crystal smart reflectors

Robert B. Meyer, Franklin Lonberg, Ching-Chao Chang

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2441, Smart Structures and Materials 1995: Smart Materials; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.209799
Event: Smart Structures and Materials '95, 1995, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

We report on the development of liquid crystal smart reflectors, consisting of a cholesteric liquid crystal with temperature sensitive helix pitch, in combination with a light absorbing dye. Light entering the liquid crystal is absorbed by the dye, generating heat which raises the temperature of the liquid crystal. The resulting change in the helix pitch of the cholesteric causes an increase in its reflectivity, reducing the intensity of light that can be absorbed by the dye. This negative feedback stabilizes the reflector for a given light intensity. The smart reflector thus achieves a reflectivity which increases with increasing intensity of incident light. We report on two configurations of the device, with both experimental measurements and mathematical models of the system.

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Robert B. Meyer, Franklin Lonberg, and Ching-Chao Chang "Liquid crystal smart reflectors", Proc. SPIE 2441, Smart Structures and Materials 1995: Smart Materials, (22 May 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.209799

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