Reflective cholesteric liquid crystal polarizers and their applications

Various single layer reflective polarizers are introduced based on cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) materials containing one polymeric liquid crystal component and other non-reactive liquid crystals. A non-linear pitch gradient has been created during a process called polymerization induced molecular re-distribution. The polarizers in the visible exhibits a high extinction ration (over 30:1) over a bandwidth from 400 to 1,000nm. When tuned to the near infrared (IR), the polarizer reflects from 700 to 2,000nm. In addition, field controllable broadband polarizers will be briefly introduced. Finally, applications will be described.