Experimental results and theoretical model to describe angular dependence of light scattering by monolayer of nematic droplets

- The setup to measure light intensity of light scattered by PDLC films is described.
- Scattering patterns of large-sized liquid crystal droplets are analyzed.
- Nematic droplets with different surface anchoring are considered.
- .The theory to describe the scattering patterns is outlined.
- Experimental and theoretical data for angular patterns are in good agreement.

Light scattering by a monolayer of bipolar nematic droplets encapsulated in polymer film is examined both experimentally and theoretically. A method for the simulation of the angular distribution of scattered light is based on the anomalous diffraction and interference approximations taking into account the director configuration within liquid crystal droplets and their bipolar axes orientation. The director configuration in nematic droplets is calculated using the relaxation method of the free energy minimization. The characteristics of the sample, including distribution of droplet sizes and shape anisometry, are measured in details. The experimental results and theoretical data agree closely with each other.