Electrically modulated large range tuning of self-assembled photonic bandgaps in polymer-stabilised blue phases

Developing 3D photonic nanostructures with stimuli-directed controllability has been a burgeoning but challenging area in the field of optical materials as there are numerous opportunities in next-generation communication systems. In this study, polymer-stabilised blue phase I material systems with self-assembled 3D tunable photonic bandgap (PBG) were prepared by using different acrylate monomers. From the comparison of the electric responsive behaviours, the electrical tunability of the material system was noteworthyly improved by using chiral acrylate monomers. And a reversible electrically modulated large range red shifting of the PBG was achieved through the fabrication of the chiral polymer network. Besides, the optical quality and response time can be improved by increasing the polymerisable chiral monomer concentration.

Automated summary

This study prepared polymer-stabilised blue phase I material systems with self-assembled 3D tunable photonic bandgap (PBG) using different acrylate monomers. The electrical tunability of the material system was notably improved by using chiral acrylate monomers, leading to a reversible electrically modulated large range red shifting of the PBG through the fabrication of a chiral polymer network. Increasing the polymerizable chiral monomer concentration can improve optical quality and response time.