Large Kerr effects in transparent encapsulated liquid crystals. II. Frequency response

Abstract

The encapsulation of liquid crystals in polymer matrices produces materials with interesting electro‐optical and scattering properties. When the dispersed phase dimensions are substantially smaller than the incident radiation wavelengths, the material is optically clear with a large Kerr effect. These materials had been shown to behave as orientational Kerr media with Kerr constants as high as 30 000 times CS2 [J. Appl. Phys. 67, 4253 (1990)]. In this paper, the frequency response is studied with sinusoidal and pulsed electric fields. The electroactivity rolls off at higher frequencies with the 3 dB point in the range of 2000–12 000 Hz depending on liquid crystal loading and temperature. This indicates response times are in the microsecond range which is consistent with the pulsed field data.