Joshua Ryan Martin

US Patent:

20040263772, Dec 30, 2004

Filed:

Jun 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/609115

Inventors:

James Gleeson - Kent OH, US
Joshua Martin - Waltham MA, US

Assignee:

Kent State University

International Classification:

G02F001/13

US Classification:

349/201000

Abstract:

A method for producing a diffraction grating is provided. First, a mixture including nematic liquid crystal, dopant, and polymerizable precursor is introduced between two electrically conductive substrates having alignment layers for inducing orientation of the liquid crystal director. A potential difference is applied across the liquid crystal to cause a spontaneous self-assembly of the liquid crystal into an array of convective rolls. Thereafter, the roll structure is stabilized by the creation of a polymeric network through polymerization and/or cross-linking of the polymerizable precursor. The convective roll structure serves as a template for the formation of the polymeric network.