POLYMER-DISPERSED LIQUID-CRYSTALS - RELATION BETWEEN FORMULATION, ELECTROOPTICAL PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) films investigated in this wor k are obtained by phase separation induced by photopolymerization of a homogeneous 'prepolymer/liquid crystal' mixture. We show a close rela tion between the formulation/conditions of preparation of the material s, their morphology and their electro-optical properties. The effect o f the mutual compatibility of the prepolymer and the liquid crystal on film performances is investigated using 'model systems' that consist of pure components. Finally, both SALS experiments and a Fourier Trans form procedure lead to a simple model in which LC domains are separate d by polymer walls.