Electro-Optical Properties of a Transmissive Diffuser based on Electrically-Tuneable Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Film

Abstract

A transmissive diffuser that is based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film has been developed. Liquid crystal E7 and polymer NOA65, at a ratio of 55:45 by weight, were utilized to fabricate the diffuser. With the use of phase separation, diffuser of 7.5 µm PDLC film thickness can be formed after 20 minutes UV irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp (36E @ 365nm). Test results have shown that the proposed diffuser has good classic electro-optical and transmissive imaging features under an external tuneable electric field. The development has a great application potential in augmented reality or mixed reality-type applications.

Keywords

• transmissive diffuser
• polymer dispersed liquid crystal
• phase separation