Electro-optical Characterization of Transmission Holographic PDLC with Surfactant

The effects of surfactant on the electro-optic properties of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal(HPDLC) have been studied hoping to increase the diffraction efficiency and to reduce the anchoring energy at interfaces. Octanoic acid(OA) was used as sulfactant. The 2,2,2 trifluoroethyl acrylate(TFEA) was added to the monomer mixture to enhance the phase separation and improve optical properties. The morphology of holographic gratings was examined using scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Addition of surfactant was likely to reduce the surface anchoring of the nematic droplet with the polymer surface which favors lowering of the swiching field and to improve the optical qualities.