Influence of cylindrical geometry and alignment layers on the growth process and selective reflection of blue phase domains

In this work we demonstrate the influence of cylindrical shape and alignment layers on light reflection in Blue Phase Liquid Crystals (BPLCs). The process of blue phase (BP) domains growth was observed in a microcapillary for the first time. The cylindrical structure, its diameter and alignment layers influence the orientations of cubic BP domains and affect their growth. A homogeneous BP structure was obtained in a cylindrical tube by changing the temperature and by using external electric field. This study also shows the ability of switching between BP I and chiral phase, in a capillary under the influence of the electric field. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.