Electro-Optic Response and Switchable Bragg Diffraction for Liquid Crystal in Colloid-Templated Materials

We report optical switching studies on nematic liquid crystal incorporated into structures based on self-assembled colloids. We compare the electro-optic responses of liquid crystal imbibed into colloid-templated polymers, liquid crystal imbibed in the interstitial space of colloid crystals, and conventional polymer-dispersed liquid crystals. 

We characterize the Bragg diffraction of our templated liquid-crystal/polymer composites as a function of electric field, and measure switching times. The response of liquid crystal in connected networks differs qualitatively from that of liquid crystal in isolated cavities.