Atomic force microscopy study of the polymer growth in a polymer stabilized liquid crystal

The growth of a cholesteric polymer network in a polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT) was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The liquid crystal is removed by dipping the samples into a solvent bath and the polymer network remaining on each strip is analyzed. Several aspects of the polymer growth were studied: irradiation time, use of an orientation layer and application of an electric field during polymerization. AFM has proved to be an accurate means to study polymer networks thanks to its high resolution. The pitch of the cholesteric polymer is observable under special conditions of polymerization. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.