The liquid crystal light modulator includes a first substrate (10) and a second substrate (20) disposed between two polarizers, and a pair of electrode structures (24, 24). The substrates include homeotropic alignment films (12) and (22), and at least one of the substrates has a function of aligning C-directors of liquid crystal molecules along one direction. The one direction forms an azimuth angle in the range of 35 to 55 degrees with the direction of the electric field generated by the pair of electrode structures (24, 24). A liquid crystal composition layer (31) contains a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having a chiral smectic C phase or a liquid crystal composition that has an achiral smectic C phase and negative dielectric anisotropy. Light transmittance is modulated by the electric field generated by the electrode structures (24, 24) changing the birefringence index of the liquid crystal composition layer (31).

A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A graphene and liquid crystal device wherein the layer of graphene is an alignment layer and an electrode for a liquid crystal device.

A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A graphene and liquid crystal device wherein the layer of graphene is an alignment layer and an electrode for a liquid crystal device.

A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A graphene and liquid crystal device wherein the layer of graphene is an alignment layer and an electrode for a liquid crystal device.

A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A graphene and liquid crystal device wherein the layer of graphene is an alignment layer and an electrode for a liquid crystal device.

New classes of thiadiazole and oxadiazole compounds for use in LC mixtures are disclosed. In an embodiment, the new classes of thiadiazoles and oxadiazoles comprise at least one phenyl ring attached to the heterocyclic ring, where no alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl tails are attached to the phenyl ring, but one alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl tail is attached to the other end of the molecule, and a fluoro or cyano group appears in the para position of the phenyl ring. These compounds are disclosed as being effective at inducing smectic A phases in liquid crystal mixtures, particularly in liquid crystal mixtures also possessing a smectic C phase, more particularly in materials possessing a chiral smectic C (ferroelectric) phase.

A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A method of making a graphene and liquid crystal device comprising the steps of providing a substrate, depositing a layer of graphene on the substrate, and depositing a layer of liquid crystals on the layer of graphene.

A standing helix ferroelectric liquid crystal display cell includes: two transparent substrates (102A, 102B); a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer (104) comprising ferroelectric liquid crystals in a standing helix configuration, the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer (104) being disposed between the two transparent substrates (102A, 102B), the ferroelectric liquid crystals having a helix axis perpendicular to the two substrates (102A, 102B) and chiral smectic liquid crystal helix pitch shorter than a wavelength of a polarized light normally impinging at least one of the two transparent substrates (102A, 102B); and inter-digital electrodes (105), disposed in plane with the two transparent substrates (102A, 102B), configured to apply an electric field to the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer (104) that provides a driving voltage below a critical voltage for helix unwinding.

New classes of thiadiazole and oxadiazole compounds for use in LC mixtures are disclosed. In an embodiment, the new classes of thiadiazoles and oxadiazoles comprise at least one phenyl ring attached to the heterocyclic ring, where no alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl tails are attached to the phenyl ring, but one alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl tail is attached to the other end of the molecule, and a fluoro or cyano group appears in the para position of the phenyl ring. These compounds are disclosed as being effective at inducing smectic A phases in liquid crystal mixtures, particularly in liquid crystal mixtures also possessing a smectic C phase, more particularly in materials possessing a chiral smectic C (ferroelectric) phase.

A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A method of making a graphene and liquid crystal device comprising the steps of providing a substrate, depositing a layer of graphene on the substrate, and depositing a layer of liquid crystals on the layer of graphene.