The electro-optical behavior of polymer stabilized cholesteric texture
cells has been investigated for three different polymers. The switchi
ng process was studied with respect to the electric field dependence o
f the diffuse reflectivity, diffuse transmittance, and the dynamics of
the reorientation process. For certain polymer concentrations, a two-
stage reorientation process was observed. This behavior is consistent
with the cholesteric liquid crystal being divided between two distinct
environments. In the first, the liquid crystal is strongly dominated
by the polymer network, while in the second a bulklike behavior, compa
rable to the unstabilized cholesteric material, is observed. Scanning
electron micrographs of the polymer networks further support this mode
l. Measurements of the diffuse scattering indicate that the polymer in
fluenced regions contribute largely to the observed back scattering, w
hereas the bulklike material contributes primarily to forward scatteri
ng. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.