Optical addressing in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals

This study investigates a method of optical addressing in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals (DDCLCs). Photo-induced randomly adsorbed dyes can change the CLC textures from planar to focal conic. Such patterning can be adopted to develop a display that is initially invisible, but becomes visible upon heating above the clearing temperature, followed by cooling to room temperature. The display can also become visible upon the application of a suitable voltage, and its rapid release. Additionally, the display is thermally erasable, optically rewritable and electrically switchable. It can be applied for use as a smart card.