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This book highlights the fabrication of orientation-controlled colloidal quantum well (nanoplatelet) thin films using liquid interface self-assembly. The book details methods for orientation-controlled deposition of CdSe core nanoplatelets for characterization of directional energy transfer in nanoplatelets and layer-by-layer construction of CdSe/CdZnS core/shell nanoplatelets to create optically active waveguides with precisely tunable thickness and excellent uniformity across device scale. It also provides a future outlook for construction of large-scale two- and three-dimensional nanoplatelet superstructures and their incorporation into device fabrication.

Essentially there are two variational theories of liquid crystals explained in this book. The theory put forward by Zocher, Oseen and Frank is classical, while that proposed by Ericksen is newer in its mathematical formulation although it has been postulated in the physical literature for the past two decades. The newer theory provides a better explanation of defects in liquid crystals, especially of those concentrated on lines and surfaces, which escape the scope of the classical theory. The book opens the way to the wealth of applications that will follow.

Despite many of us staring at liquid crystals – in the form of liquid-crystal displays – for large portions of our waking life, for many, their science and beauty is an untold story full of surprise and wonder. This book takes you on a photographic journey through the science of liquid crystals. By the end, you'll be familiar with what they are, how they form and their role in producing the complexity of life on Earth. Presented in non-technical language, without any mathematics, this accessible text looks at spider webs, silk, display technology, lasers, dyes, detergents, DNA, cell membranes, drug-delivery mechanisms, anaesthesia and optical computing.

This book covers in-depth discussion of design principles, synthesis and thermal behavior of all types of liquid crystal (LC) dimers. The text presents recent advances in the field of LC dimers consisting of different mesogenic units such as calamitic, discotic and bent-core molecules. It starts with a chapter on the introduction of liquid crystal dimers, including their odd-even behavior, basic classification of dimers and common mesophases in dimers. The text shows how the molecular architectures are being used to develop new materials to study a range of interesting phenomena such as the biaxial nematic phase containing rod-like and disc-like mesogenic units. Finally, the text presents perspectives related to technological relevance of these dimers such as dopants in LC display mixtures exhibiting faster relaxation time, strong flexoelectric coupling and others to effect control over the properties of these materials.

Since the discovery of the first liquid crystal in 1888 by the Austrian biologist Friedrich Reinitzer with the considerable assistance of the German physicist Otto Lehman, who in that time had been universally recognized authority in the field of microscope technique, thousands and thousands of liquid crystals have been synthesized among them nematics, short-pitch cholesterics and various kinds of smectics such as smectic-A and smectic-C. The smectic-A or smectic-C phases grow from a nematic or unwinded large-pitch cholesteric oriented in the middle part of the cells and from strongly-deformed nematic or unwinded large-pitch cholesteric layer in the boundary regions of the liquid crystal cells. These have two advantages. First, it shows the texture fitting between the surface and bulk alignment of the smectics, sometimes unknown, and permits in some cases the approximate determination of the surface energy of smectics and second, it is useful for application in the laser-addressed liquid crystal devices. On the other hand, the experimental results obtained with the smectic-C permit the evaluation of certain material parameters. This book includes the electro-optic behavior of the large-pitch cholesteric at a new, strong-weak or weak-weak anchoring as well as the hysteretic behavior leading to the appearance or disappearance of various large-pitch textures. One of the most interesting electro-optic effects, discovered in the large-pitch cholesterics, is the observation of polar unidirectional spirals under a DC voltage application. Finally, the book draws attention to the discovery of a new chiral liquid crystal with unusual electro-optic behavior composed from a mixture of a nematic and a ferroelectric smectic-C• liquid crystals. The authors of this book have experimentally studied the electro-optic dynamic hysteretic behavior of weakly-anchored twisted nematic layer as well. The flexoelectric deformations were identified except by additional application of a high-frequency orienting electric field and, qualitatively, by the simultaneous application of DC and low-frequency (several hertz) electric fields. In this way, for the first time, unusual amplification was observed of the low-frequency flexoelectric oscillations. The “gradient flexoeffect” can be realized not only by the accumulation of ions in the nematic layer, but also by inhomogeneity of the electric field, created by the geometry of the liquid crystal cell. Finally, the authors focus on the polar flexoeffect, without taking into account the second-order elasticity. The pulsations of the light transmitted through a nematic layer with a homeotropic anchoring and a free-slipping boundary are again considered, and new ideas are developed. The material parameters are of a great importance for the theory and application of the liquid crystals. Due to this reason, the authors have suggested new methods for their measurement, some cases being illustrated by examples. Finally, the authors proposed the Becke's method for measurement of the optical index of various solids to be combined with the use of a monodomain liquid crystal in its nematic or isotropic phase.

Liquid crystals (LCs) were discovered more than a century ago, but their profound impact was in the past four decades through their successful implementation into electronic devices that we are using every day. The research on liquid crystals actively continues in the 21st century and offers unlimited potential in various display or non-display applications. This book covers novel topics related to LCs and is intended for a wide range of researchers in both, academia and industry, from beginners to advanced level professionals in many scientific areas, viz. materials science and engineering, chemistry, physics, optics, photonics, nanotechnology, electrical engineering, and so on. The book contains topics on nematic and cholesteric LCs, in the form of films or particles, as well as modified LC behavior with variety of dopants, micron and nano-sized particles, microencapsulation of LC particles and modeling of their behavior under an externally applied field. Topics related to the effect on nanomaterials on LC behavior, as well as structural and magnetic properties of different types of iron-containing liquid crystals (metallo-mesogens) are covered, as well. Finally, an overview of different alignment technologies for nematic liquid crystals such as mechanical rubbing of polymer films, obliquely-deposited inorganic films, photo-irradiated, IB-bombarded and patterned surfaces, are briefly reviewed along with several novel alignment concepts. The state of the art in respective fields related to LCs in each chapter is given by leading experts.

Many fascinating applications of liquid crystals – a material that possesses behaviour in between the crystalline solid and the liquid phases – have been reported by the RandD workers. These materials exhibit amazing features that make them indispensable for versatile usage. Liquid crystal based flat display panels are now found in mass volume in use as television and computer monitors. Apart from this, liquid crystals can be used in sensing and communication systems. The aim of this book is three-fold: (i) to make the expert researchers aware of the advancements in several areas of liquid crystal technology, (ii) to fuel the novice researchers through varieties of research directions, and (iii) to give a glimpse of the merged ideas to multi-disciplinary researchers for conceptual development of novel devices. Starting from the introduction of liquid crystals, this book covers topics ranging from nanoparticle synthesis to their varieties of physical and chemical properties along with their possible optics and electronics oriented applications. These include chemical bonding in liquid crystals, the use of liquid crystals in nanoparticle synthesis, the effects of liquid crystals on the thermal isomerization of azoderivatives, sensing organosulfur compounds by liquid crystal supported chemically functionalized surfaces, electro-optic behavior of liquid crystals and their applications in dynamic holographic correctors, optics of chiral liquid crystals, electromagnetic behavior of liquid crystal based optical fibers and applications in 3D electronic displays. These topics are presented in nine chapters written by expert scientists in their respective areas of research in liquid crystals. Some of the chapters are devoted to the physics and chemistry of liquid crystals, and some touch upon their interesting applications. It is expected that the book will be of immense use for novice, expert and multi-disciplinary researchers in universities and research institutions.

Chapter 1 - Liquid Crystal Chapter 2 - Smart Glass Chapter 3 - Thermochromism and Chiral Photonics Chapter 4 - Liquid Crystal Display Chapter 5 - Effect of Twisted Nematic Chapter 6 - Liquid Crystal on Silicon and Backlight Chapter 7 - Display Contrast Chapter 8 - Viewing Cone Chapter 9 - Input Lag and Refresh Rate

Liquid crystals are fluids with a directionality defined. Polymers are long molecules with a shape that can be changed. As a network, polymers form rubber - a soft solid that is locally liquid-like and capable of huge extension. Liquid crystal elastomers are a combination of all these curious aspects, but with additional, revolutionary new phenomena - for example, spontaneous shape changes of several hundred percent induced by temperature change, with equally large opto-mechanical responses, shape change without energy cost ('soft elasticity'), colour change with strain, lasing and photonics, sensitivity to molecular handedness and soft solid ferroelectricity. This book is a primer for liquid crystals, polymers, rubber, and elasticity. It then describes the theory and experiment of these remarkable materials for the first time as a monograph. Worked examples are solved so that the reader can become proficient in the field himself. The book is directed at physicists, chemists, material scientists, engineers and applied mathematicians at the graduate student level and beyond

In recent years, there has been increasing activity in the research and design of optical systems based on liquid crystal (LC) science. Bringing together contributions from leading figures in industry and academia, Optical Applications of Liquid Crystals covers the range of existing applications as well as those in development. Unique in its thorou

This book is a collection of 13 articles, written by experts, on different aspects of the physics and applications of liquid crystals. In addition to giving self-contained review articles with good bibliography, the authors have discussed the anticipated or highly important and desirable breakthroughs in the near future in their respective fields. The book should provide readers with a good starting point, insight, and an indicator of what current important problems are. Good researchers should benefit in fine tuning their efforts to test the ideas put forward by the authors.

Polymer Liquid Crystals covers the significant developments in the field of highlight oriented polymers. This 12-chapter book emerged from lectures presented during the seminar'Polymer Liquid Crystals: Science and Technology', held at Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy on May 19-23, 1981. The opening chapters highlight the molecular basis of liquid crystallinity. The subsequent chapters deal with the synthesis, structure, properties, and macroscopic phenomena of polymer liquid crystals. These topics are followed by descriptions of the orientation of liquid crystals, specifically the instabilities in low molecular weight nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals. The final chapters consider the applications of these crystals to display devices and the advances in high-strength fibers and molecular composites. This book will be of great value to polymer liquid crystal chemists and researchers.

Current understanding of different phases as well as the phase transitions between them has only been achieved following recent theoretical advances on the effects of dimensionality in statistical physics. P S Pershan explains the connection between these two separate areas and gives some examples of problems where the understanding is still not complete. The most important example is the second order phase transition between the nematic and smectic-A phase. Others include the relation between the several hexatic phases that have been observed and the first order restacking transitions between phases that were all previously identified as smectic-B, but which should more properly be identified as crystalline-B. Some relatively recent experimental developments on the discotic phase, liquid crystal surfaces and lyotropic phases are also included. The book includes 41 major reprints of some of the recent seminal work on the structure of liquid crystals. They are introduced by a brief review of the symmetries and other properties of liquid crystalline phases. In addition, there is a discussion of the differences between true liquid crystalline phases and others that were described as liquid crystalline in the early literature, but which have since been shown to be true three-dimensional crystals. The progression from the isotropic fluid, through the nematic, smectic, and various crystalline phases can be understood in terms of a systematic decrease in symmetry, together with an accompanying variation in structure is explained. A guide to the selected reprints and a sort of “Rosetta Stone” for these various phases is provided. The goal of this book is to explain the systematics of this progression to students and others that are new to this field, as well as to provide a useful handbook for people already working in the field.

هذا الكتاب يقدم اتجاهاً واعداً بالتطبيقات التكنولوجية الحالية و المستقبلية. و قد حرص مؤلفها على تبسيط أسسها العلمية بأكبر قدر من الوضوح ، الذي يسمح للقارئ الجاد بأن ينطلق من الإطار العام لتركيب المادة و خواصها ، إلى فهم الحالة بالبلورات السائلة و إمكانياتها التطبيقية الهائلة.

This book reviews comprehensively the technological, scientific, artistic and medical applications of liquid crystals. It starts with the basics of liquid crystals and covers electro-optical, thermo-optical, colour, polymeric, lyotropic, and scientific applications of liquid crystalline materials. It discusses the fabrication and operational principles of a full range of liquid crystal displays including dynamic scattering, twisted nematic, supertwisted nematic, dichroic, smectic A, ferroelectric, polymer dispersed, light valve, active matrix, etc., in detail. It also covers the emerging applications of liquid crystals such as optical computing, nonlinear optics, decorative and visual arts. The detailed chapters on classification, theory, chemical structure, physical properties and surface alignment of liquid crystals facilitate the basic understanding of the science behind LCDs and other uses of liquid crystals. The chapters on liquid crystal polymers and lyotropic liquid crystals, give deep insight into these areas. The potential uses and applications are also described in detail.

This book reviews comprehensively the technological, scientific, artistic and medical applications of liquid crystals. It starts with the basics of liquid crystals and covers electro-optical, thermo-optical, colour, polymeric, lyotropic, and scientific applications of liquid crystalline materials. It discusses the fabrication and operational principles of a full range of liquid crystal displays including dynamic scattering, twisted nematic, supertwisted nematic, dichroic, smectic A, ferroelectric, polymer dispersed, light valve, active matrix, etc., in detail. It also covers the emerging applications of liquid crystals such as optical computing, nonlinear optics, decorative and visual arts. Classification, theory, chemical structure, physical properties and surface alignment of liquid crystals have detailed chapters to facilitate the basic understanding of the science behind LCDs and other uses of liquid crystals. The chapters, liquid crystal polymers and lyotropic liquid crystals, give deep insight into these areas. The potential uses and applications are also described in detail.

This book reviews comprehensively the technological, scientific, artistic and medical applications of liquid crystals. It starts with the basics of liquid crystals and covers electro-optical, thermo-optical, colour, polymeric, lyotropic, and scientific applications of liquid crystalline materials. It discusses the fabrication and operational principles of a full range of liquid crystal displays including dynamic scattering, twisted nematic, supertwisted nematic, dichroic, smectic A, ferroelectric, polymer dispersed, light valve, active matrix, etc., in detail. It also covers the emerging applications of liquid crystals such as optical computing, nonlinear optics, decorative and visual arts. The detailed chapters on classification, theory, chemical structure, physical properties and surface alignment of liquid crystals facilitate the basic understanding of the science behind LCDs and other uses of liquid crystals. The chapters on liquid crystal polymers and lyotropic liquid crystals, give deep insight into these areas. The potential uses and applications are also described in detail.