近期液晶研究中的几个新方向--液晶非显示应用基础研究的进展

NEW DIRECTIONS IN RECENT LIQUID CRYSTAL STUDIES——THE PROGRESS IN FOUNDATIONAL RESEARCH OF NON-DISPLAY APPLICATION OF LIQUID CRYSTALS

近期有关液晶学科的更多的基础和应用基础研究转向了应用这个奇妙的软物质态于平面显示器件等光学领域以外的其它领域的深入探索,这就形成了近期液晶科学研究中的‘非显示’热,它囊括了从生物,化学到物理,材料甚至工程等多个学科的诸多领域。本综述主要在物理及相关领域内简略地介绍了几个液晶科学非显示研究课题的基本原理,进展和可能的前景,包括作者所在课题组近期所进行的有关微波频率和中远红外(THz)波段液晶调制器的研究进展。以期为工作于液晶学科这方面研究的同行提供一点参考。

Recently, progressively more fundamental and applied studies in liquid crystals have sought to apply this miraculous soft material to aspects other than the optics of planar displays. These up-and-coming non-display studies of liquid crystals range across the disciplines, from biology through to chemistry and physics, extending beyond even materiology and engineering. This summary primarily introduces the foundations, developments and potentials of several studies in non-display applications of liquid crystals in physics and related areas, including the progress on liquid crystal modulators in microwave and THz frequencies, developed recently by the Exeter research team. The aim is to provide a useful reference for scientists studying non-display aspects of liquid crystals.