Optomechanical properties of stretched polymer dispersed liquid crystal films for scattering polarizer applications

A scattering polarizer is created by subjecting a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film to tensile strain. The optomechanical properties of the film are investigated by simultaneously measuring the stress-strain and polarization dependent optical transmission characteristics. The correlation between transmittances of two orthogonal polarizations and the stress-strain curve reveals that the polymer orientation as well as the droplet shape anisotropy influences the liquid crystal alignment within the droplets. A Monte Carlo simulation based on the P. A. Lebwohl-G. Lasher [Phys. Rev. A 6, 426 (1972)] model is used to explain the subtle influence of polymer orientation on liquid crystal alignment. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.