Directed crystalline symmetry transformation of blue-phase liquid crystals by reverse electrostriction

Tsung-Hsien Lin (), Duan-Yi Guo, Chun-Wei Chen, Ting-Mao Feng, Wen-Xin Zeng, Po-Chang Chen, Liang-Ying Wu, Wen-Ming Guo, Li-Min Chang, Hung-Chang Jau, Chun-Ta Wang, Timothy J. Bunning and Iam Choon Khoo ()
Additional contact information
Tsung-Hsien Lin: National Sun Yat-sen University
Duan-Yi Guo: National Sun Yat-sen University
Chun-Wei Chen: Stanford University
Ting-Mao Feng: National Sun Yat-sen University
Wen-Xin Zeng: National Sun Yat-sen University
Po-Chang Chen: National Sun Yat-sen University
Liang-Ying Wu: National Sun Yat-sen University
Wen-Ming Guo: National Sun Yat-sen University
Li-Min Chang: National Sun Yat-sen University
Hung-Chang Jau: National Sun Yat-sen University
Chun-Ta Wang: National Sun Yat-sen University
Timothy J. Bunning: Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Iam Choon Khoo: The Pennsylvania State University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Soft-matter-based photonic crystals like blue-phase liquid crystals (BPLC) have potential applications in wide-ranging photonic and bio-chemical systems. To date, however, there are limitations in the fabrication of large monocrystalline BPLCs. Traditional crystal-growth process involves the transition from a high-temperature disordered phase to an ordered (blue) phase and is generally slow (takes hours) with limited achievable lattice structures, and efforts to improve molecular alignment through post-crystallization field application typically prove ineffective. Here we report a systematic study on the molecular self-assembly dynamics of BPLC starting from a highly ordered phase in which all molecules are unidirectionally aligned by a strong electric field. We have discovered that, near the high-temperature end of the blue phase, if the applied field strength is then switched to an intermediate level or simply turned off, large-area monocrystalline BPLCs of various symmetries (tetragonal, orthorhombic, cubic) can be formed in minutes. Subsequent temperature tuning of the single crystal at a fixed applied field allows access to different lattice parameters and the formation of never-before-seen monoclinic structures. The formed crystals remain stable upon field removal. The diversity of stable monocrystalline BPLCs with widely tunable crystalline symmetries, band structures, and optical dispersions will significantly improve and expand their application potentials.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51408-4

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