Microsecond Electro-Optic Switching of Nematic Liquid Crystals with Giant Dielectric Anisotropy

Electro-optical effects in nematic liquid crystals are extensively used in display technology. A major drawback that has hindered further application is the relatively slow time of the optical response to an applied field, on the order of milliseconds. The authors demonstrate a $m\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d$-scale electro-optical response, by using the electric field to change the orientational order of a liquid crystal with giant positive dielectric anisotropy. This phenomenon could be exploited in fast electro-optical shutters, phase modulators, beam steering, and more.