A new electro‐optic effect based on the disruptive effects of ion transport through certain classes of nematic liquid crystals is presented. The initially transparent liquid scatters light strongly (appears white) when subjected to fields of 5 × 103 V/cm. Reflective contrast ratios of better than 20:1 with efficiencies of 45% of the standard white have been obtained.

Topics
Nematic liquid crystals, Electrooptical effects, Optical metrology
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© 1968 The American Institute of Physics.
1968
The American Institute of Physics
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