Blue-shifting tuning of the selective reflection of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals.

We report on electrically-induced, large magnitude (>300 nm), and reversible tuning of the selective reflection in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) prepared from negative dielectric anisotropy nematic liquid crystal hosts. The electrically-induced blue shift in the selective reflection of the PSCLCs is distinguished from our prior reports of bandwidth broadening and red-shifting tuning of the selective reflection in PSCLCs. The dominant factor in delineating the electro-optic response of the PSCLCs detailed here are the preparation conditions. Specifically, long exposure to UV intensity exceeding 250 mW cm. Other factors are shown to contribute to the response, including the type and concentration of photoinitiator.