Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Nanocomposite for Optical Memory and Next Generation Display Applications

The dispersion of nanomaterials in ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC) has turned out to be a promising method for fabricating optical memory devices and tuneable electro-optical materials. In a nanosuspension between FLC and nanoparticles, the presence of the dopant particles creates a synergic interaction with host FLC, which leads to the improvement of electro-optical properties. Tailoring with nanoparticles of suitable size, concentration, and compatibility results in various fascinating effects and new multifaceted composites for electro-optical devices. Adding nano-sized materials such as metallic, semiconducting, insulating or other functional species into the FLC matrix is a fertile method, giving rise to or increases in memory retention and other electro-optical properties that can replace the current electro-optical devices. These advancements depend on the harmony between the guest and host materials. This chapter gives a comprehensive overview of the present technologies and enhancements that have been acquired in nanoparticle/FLC composite systems, especially for optical memory devices and display applications.