SMECTIC-A-STAR MATERIALS WITH 11.25-DEGREES INDUCED TILT ANGLE FOR FULL GRAY SCALE GENERATION

In the SmC phase, 22.5° tilt materials are optimum for cells operating in the birefringent mode (under idealized bookshelf conditions), while for SmA 11.25° at present is of special interest, since it makes it possible to induce a full 90° rotation of incoming plane-polarized light using a double-cull, or even a single cell in reflective mode. We present one of the first practical A mixtures yielding 11.25° tilt at room temperature and at moderate field strengths, at the same time being easily aligned and stable. The mixtures presented are ideally suited for use in continuous grey-scale double cells, in reflective single cells and, eventually in combination with semiconductive elements, in applications such as SLM:s (Spatial Light Modulators). © 1991 Gordon and Breach Science Publishers S.A.