Coherent transmittance quenching effect in thin films of polymer-dispersedferroelectric liquid crystals

The conditions for vanishing of the coherent component of radiation transmi tted through a monolayer of polymer-dispersed ferroelectric liquid-crystal droplets are found. The influence of polydispersity and disorientation of a xes of semispherical droplets on the conditions of interference quenching i s studied. It is shown that these factors cause a change in the average siz e and concentration of droplets for which the quenching effect is realized. Data on the contrast ratio and the modulation depth of a monolayer, determ ined from the coherent component of transmitted radiation, are presented. I t is shown that these characteristics can be considerably improved under qu enching conditions For a film of polymer-dispersed ferroelectric liquid-cry stal droplets. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".