Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Materials Research Group

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

9224168 Clark This award is to start a new Materials Research Group at the University of Colorado at Boulder on the topic of ferroelectric liquid crystals. The research is organized in three main activities: synthesis of new materials, fundamental physics of ferroelectric liquid crystals, and modeling of the molecular structure and physical properties. The synthesis activity includes making of new monomer, polymer, and gel ferroelectric liquid crystals to explore the molecular origins of particular property characteristics, to test predictions from the modeling, and to develop new electro-optic and nonlinear optical materials. The physics activity emphasizes evaluation of the relevant physical properties of the materials, structure of the phases, and dynamics of the phase transformations. Included in this activity are x-ray scattering, optical microscopy, time-dependent optical and vibrational spectroscopy, molecular conformational dynamics, dielectric relaxation, scanning tunneling microscopy, and optical reflectivity. The modeling activity includes molecular dynamic simulations of molecular arrangements and conformation, and calculation of measurable macroscopic properties. Ferroelectric liquid crystals offer exceptional capabilities in electro-optic applications, such as electrically operated light valves having microsecond response times, high contrast intrinsic memory, low power consumption displays, and nonlinear optical materials. The materials research group offers excellent educational opportunities for multi- disciplinary training of advanced students for research and teaching.