Liquid Crystals

Dr. C.J. Sreelatha Department of Physics University Arts & Science College Kakatiya University Warangal

Introduction
Liquid crystals are very important in the study of optics, chemistry and polymer science. The discovery of the liquid crystal happened over a century and since this time the phenomena has been applied to many products in our society. This presentation will cover the properties, different phases and uses of liquid crystals. It will also give illustrations of liquid crystals from the micro perspective.

What are liquid crystals ?

Liquid crystals form from organic compounds and is thought of as the phase of matter between the solid and liquid state of a crystal.This phenomena was discovered in 1888 by Austrian chemist Frederich Reinitzer.

Phases

Nematic Phase

Molecules in this phase are long and rod-like in shape. They are free to move in space.

Chiral Nematic
This phase is composed of nematic molecules in a helical structure about the layer normal. The distance that it takes for the molecules to complete one turn is called the pitch.
= n*p*cos

Smectic Phase
This phase can be reached at lower temperatures than the nematic phase. Molecules align themselves in layers.(They are restricted to their plane.) More order and higher viscosity

Columnar Phase
Characterized by its stacked columns of molecules. Discovered in 1977 by Chandrasekhar

Order Parameter
S = <(3cos-1)> The order parameter in a liquid crystal range from 0.3 to 0.9

Electric field Effects

If an electric field is applied to a liquid crystal the molecules will align in the same direction as the field.

Twisted Nematic
This is called the twisted nematic liquid crystal and the spacing between the planes change with temperature. The spacing is associated with the wavelengths of light.

Uses of Liquid Crystals

Flat screen television Wristwatches Laptop screens Digital clocks Thermometers Switchable windows

Conclusion
We know today that many chemical compounds can exist in the liquid crystal state, such as cholesteryl benzoate. Thanks to the scientists that worked so diligently toward understanding this phenomenon, the world can focus on ways to make this product useful in society. Over the last century many applications such as the detection of hot points in microcircuits, the findings of fractures or tumors in humans and the conversion of infared images have become accessible due to the understanding of pitch in a liquid crystal.