A large Kerr constant polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal

A polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC) composite with a large Kerr constant (K similar to 13.7 nm/V-2) is developed and its electro-optic properties characterized. In addition to the reduced operating voltage, this BPLC also exhibits a fast response time (similar to 1 ms), high contrast ratio (>1000: 1), and relatively small hysteresis (<6%). It will undoubtedly accelerate the emergence of BPLC for next-generation display and photonic devices. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3559614]