Effects of gamma radiation on the dielectric and electro-optical properties of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal

We have investigated the effects of electric field and gamma radiation on the permittivity of a liquid crystal (E8), polymer-matrix (C135) and their composite polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC). The permittivity data are analyzed in terms of the Debye model, which provides insight into the effects of radiation-induced charges on the relaxation time constants. The effect of gamma-ray dose on the electro-optical response of the PDLC is studied by modeling PDLC as a composite material consisting of either isolated or interconnected liquid-crystal droplets embedded in a polymer matrix.