Surface anchoring, polarization fields and memory states in polymer dispersed liquid crystals

We have investigated the formation and development of memory states in poly mer dispersed liquid crystals induced by the application of a strong electr ic field. Both the optical transmittance and polarization field have been f ollowed as functions of time. We have been able to distinguish between the contributions to the memory states arising from the surface anchoring of th e liquid crystal at the droplet interface and from the electrical reorienta tion of the mesogenic molecules. The dependence of both residual transmitta nce and polarization field on temperature is reported and a simple model is proposed.