Advanced Liquid Crystalline Optical Materials

肯特州立大学将与凯斯西部储备大学和阿克伦大学建立一个先进液晶光学材料科学技术研究中心，由J.William Doane领导。该中心将为液晶光学材料的研究提供一种新的全面、垂直一体化的方法，从高度重视合成、加工和表征开始，通过利用这些材料的独特性能构建原型设备，研究物理性能。这项研究的主要目标是在分子和宏观水平上提高对这些材料的理解，以便能够预测和优化它们的光学行为。包括五个研究领域：先进材料配方和合成(将合成和研究具有特殊光学性能的新型材料、低分子液晶、液晶聚合物和液晶的聚合物分散体)物理性能(将研究纯液晶化合物与其他液晶或聚合物的混合，用于特殊的电光和非线性光学应用。)将使用扫描隧道显微镜和光散射来研究界面和有限尺寸效应(对液晶材料行为的影响)。朗缪尔-布洛杰特技术将被用于形成用于非线性光学和微电子应用的极性超薄膜。)理论和计算(根据液晶的分子结构、组成和边界条件对液晶的弹性、光学、流体动力学和相行为进行预测。)电光和非线性光学(将开发空间光调制器和可切换波导等光学设备的原型)。将建立一个资源设施，以提供更多的先进液晶材料，对材料进行表征，并评估其特定应用的性能。该中心将促进加强大学前教育和人力资源开发的活动。

Kent State University, together with Case Western Reserve University and the University of Akron, will establish a Science and Technology Research Center for Advanced Liquid Crystalline Optical Materials under the leadership of J. William Doane. The Center will provide a new comprehensive, vertically integrated approach to research in liquid crystalline optical materials, beginning with strong emphasis on synthesis, processing, and characterization, investigation of physical properties, through construction of prototype devices using the unique properties of these materials. The major goal of the research is to improve understanding of these materials on both molecular and macroscopic levels to allow prediction and optimization of their optical behavior. There are five research areas including: ADVANCED MATERIALS FORMULATION AND SYNTHESIS (Novel materials with designed specific optical performance, low molecular weight liquid crystals, liquid crystal polymers, and polymer dispersions of liquid crystals will be synthesized and studied) PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (Pure liquid crystalline compounds mixed with other liquid crystals or polymers will be investigated for unusual electro-optic and non-linear optical applications.) INTERFACES AND FINITE SIZE EFFECTS (Effects on the behavior of liquid crystalline materials will be investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy and light scattering. Langmuir-Blodgett techniques will be used to form polar ultra-thin films for non-linear optical and microelectronic applications.) THEORY AND COMPUTATION (Prediction of elastic, optical, hydrodynamic, and phase behavior of liquid crystals based on their molecular structure and composition and boundary conditions.) ELECTRO-OPTICS AND NONLINEAR OPTICS (Prototypes of optical devices such as spatial light modulators and switchable waveguides will be developed.) A resource facility will be established to provide larger quantities of advanced liquid crystalline materials, to characterize materials, and to evaluate their performance for specific applications. The Center will stimulate enhance activity in precollege education and in the development of human resources.