Electro-optical properties of films consisting of nematic liquid crystals and connected polymer microspheres

Thin films composed of nematic liquid crystals in polymer matrices are promising materials for use in displays and light shutters. Light scattering in these films is controlled by applied electric fields. This paper describes films consisting of nematic liquid crystal, micrometer-size polymer microspheres, and polymer binders. The microspheres are connected by a small quantity of binders, and the gaps between the microspheres are filled with the nematic liquid crystal. These films were produced using several diameters of microspheres, and the relationship between the microsphere size and electro-optical properties was investigated.