Influence of mechanical deformation on electrooptical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal films

The influence of mechanical deformations such as stretching and bending on the electrooptical properties of the polymer dispersed smectic A (SA) liqui d crystal (PDLC) films has been investigated. The PDLC films were formed by the solvent induced phase separation method and cooling of the dispersed s ystem to temperature below the temperature of N-phase to SA-phase transitio n. The electrooptical behaviour based on field controlled light scattering and transmitting of the stressed and unstressed PDLC films was studied. The characteristic changes of the light transmittance and threshold voltage of electrooptical response in elastic deformed PDLC films are found. The phys ical nature of observed phenomena is discussed in connection with the chang e of PDLC morphology. The received data make it possible to evaluate the de formed PDLC film electrooptics and may be used for designing of the large-a rea sun-light-protection automobile composite glasses, switchable windows, orangery covers as well as flexible light valves and shutters.