Orientation angles of liquid crystals via ultrasound vibrations

Abstract

Abstract The orientation angles of liquid crystal (LC) molecules were measured during ultrasound vibrations. Light transmitted through a fabricated LC lens was analyzed via the crossed Nicol condition and a crystal rotation method. The LC orientation angle was estimated with a theoretical model, and its distribution in the lens was determined. There was a strong correlation between the molecular angles and ultrasonic vibrational distributions, indicating that the angle was changed by the acoustic radiation force. The maximum tilt angle was 12° for a 50 V peak-to-peak input.