Fundamentals and applications of ferro- and antiferroelectric liquid crystals - the physics and chemistry of "de Vries"-type materials

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A joint program of research in chiral/polar liquid crystals showing fast analog electrooptics is proposed between investigators at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, the University of Stuttgart, Germany, Queen’s University, Canada, and the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.The principal investigators at the University of Colorado have broad combined expertise in the synthesis, characterization and modeling of liquid crystal materials. They collaborate in several research projects, including the multidisciplinary Liquid Crystal Materials Research Center (LCMRC), an NSF MRSEC. The LCMRC is a unique venue worldwide for research on polarity and chirality and their interplay in condensed phases. The proposed Materials World Network partners maintain similar yet complementary programs of investigation of chiral liquid crystals, with support from their national funding agencies.This proposal requests support to broaden a program of intensive joint materials research with Chalmers and Stuttgart begun in 1999, and funded as a Materials World Network in 2006. With the addition of synthetic and theoretical thrusts, the requested funding will enable enhanced collaboration in an exciting area of forefront liquid crystal research, combining the complementary capabilities of the partner groups in projects that pursue the fundamental science and applications of analog polar/chiral smectic liquid crystals as the principal overall theme. While various combinations of the MWN partners have been collaborating separately over the past several years, all with joint publications, the proposed Network will create a uniquely powerful team for forefront research on chiral liquid crystals.The intellectual merit of the proposed activity derives from the technological importance of the proposed research, the broad range of fundamental scientific questions to be addressed, and the unique and complementary areas of expertise brought to bear through the joint efforts of the partner groups. The focus is on exotic chiral smectics: the "V-shaped switching" smectic C's with the most rapid analog liquid crystal electro-optic effects; the "deVries" materials exhibiting analog behavior via extended molecular tilt correlations in the smectic A phase; the closely related "orthoconic" high-tilt antiferroelectrics; and bent-core liquid crystals with a polar smectic A phase that give phase-only electrooptic modulation. The proposed research highlights fundamental studies of the relationships of these behaviors, investigations of novel liquid crystal systems with ramifications for a variety of areas in soft materials science. The corresponding materials development will enable a variety of novel applications, including holographic data storage and projection, beam steering, and chirality detection.The broader impacts of the proposed activity in the areas of education and industrial outreach and human resource development will be substantial, augmenting and enhancing ongoing programs in Boulder and the partner institutions. Exchange visits of junior researchers and faculty will promote cultural diversity and the professional development of the participants. The partner groups will share and adapt appropriate outreach materials, including modules for K-12 science enrichment classes. The liquid crystal materials to be investigated are promising candidates for applications in the areas of displays and optical beam steering. The Boulder group has a track record of substantive technology transfer including spin-off commercial ventures producing liquid crystal display products and scientific equipment. Given the wide variety of potential applications of the proposed research, it is likely that this collaboration will engender technology transfer to the private sector both in America and Europe.Further information on the proposed International Materials World interaction and anticipated benefits are discussed in the Supplementary Documents section at the end of this proposal.