Effect of surface alignment layer and polymer network on the Helfrich deformation in cholesteric liquid crystals

We show that the Helfrich deformation can be used for fast response time, low driving voltage reflective displays by using cholesteric liquid crystals under short voltage pulses (similar to 10 ms). Rather than turning planar domains into focal conic domains through a nucleation process, as used in bistable modes, the fast voltage pulse only deforms the cholesteric planar layers to form wrinkled layers. Since the deformed state is formed through a homogeneous process, quick response times and low operating voltage can be achieved. We studied the effects of alignment layer and dispersed polymer on the stability of the Helfrich deformed cholesteric layers, and found that homogeneous alignment layer and polymer network can inhibit the nucleation process responsible for breaking the layers. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4770386]