OPTICAL ELEMENTS COMPRISING CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS

摘要

A linear photopolymerizable polymer (LPP) layer is situated to align liquid crystal molecules in a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer (Ch-LCP) layer situated at or on the LPP layers. The Ch-LCP layer includes a patterned area and an unpatterned area. The patterned area and the un-patterned area have different optical properties. The Ch-LCP layer can be tuned to transmit light of a desired frequency and handedness. Single and multiple-layered LPP/Ch-LCP and/or LPP/LCP structures can be provided as patterned polarizers, patterned retarders and other devices.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
forming a photopolymerizable polymer network (PPN) layer for liquid crystal alignment, aligning molecules of the PPN layer with each other in at least one alignment direction; and forming a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer (Ch-LCP) layer proximate the PPN layer so that liquid crystal molecules in the Ch-LCP layer are aligned with the at least one alignment direction.