Wavelength and temperature dependent refractive index of polymer dispersed nematic liquid crystal

The study of index of refraction of liquid crystals and its composite are of prime importance for understanding the fascinating optical properties as it depends on wavelength, temperature and molecular structure. In the present study the effect of two different polymers one Polymethyl Metha acrylate and another 2-Ethyl Hexyl Acrylate on the refractive index of nematic liquid crystal 4-cynophenyl 4-n-hexyl benzoate were investigated. The liquid crystal shows a good miscibility with two different polymers. The refractive index was measured by DSRλ within the visible spectral range 404-706nm for various temperatures. The composite material shows higher refractive index and the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal are changed after dispersing polymer due to its polar order. This is important for optimizing display performance and photonic liquid crystal fibers. This shows potential applications of nematic liquid crystal dispersed with polymer for display applications by using the principle of refractive index matching.