Method of varying wavelengths of liquid crystals
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a method of generating a second peak wavelength of reflected light from a cholesteric liquid crystal having a first peak wavelength of reflected light comprising by exposing or conditioning the cholesteric liquid crystal to a high temperature or a high humidity. The invention also relates to an electrically modulated imaging layer and a display containing a liquid crystal material that has conditioned and unconditioned forms, wherein the unconditioned form of liquid crystal material reflects a first wavelength of light and wherein the conditioned form of liquid crystal material reflects a second wavelength of light.
1. A method of generating at least a second peak wavelength of reflected light from a cholesteric liquid crystal having a first peak wavelength of reflected light comprising:
a) exposing/conditioning the cholesteric liquid crystal to a high humidity for a period of time.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said exposing is to a high temperature and a high humidity.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first wavelength is in the infrared spectrum.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first wavelength is in the visible spectrum.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second wavelength is in the visible spectrum.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second wavelength is shorter than the first wavelength.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said second wavelength is at least 90 nm shorter than said first wavelength.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said temperature is higher than ambient temperature.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the temperature is above 40° C.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature is above 40° C.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the relative humidity is higher than ambient.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the relative humidity is above 70% RH.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the relative humidity is above 80% RH.
14. The method of claim 2 , wherein the temperature is 24° C. dry bulb at 90% relative humidity (22.3° C. wet bulb).
15. The method of claim 2 , wherein the temperature is 49° C. dry bulb at 90% relative humidity (46.9° C. wet bulb).
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cholesteric liquid crystal is in a planar state.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cholesteric liquid crystal is in a focal conic state.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cholesteric liquid crystal is placed between two electrodes.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein said conditioning is for a period of time of at least 2 hours.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein said conditioning is for a period of time of from 2 to 96 hours.