US4904066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electro-optical devices using liquid crystal polymers
Assignee: The General Electric Company PLC
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Filing: 1987-06-22
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Granted: 1990-02-27
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Expires: 2007-06-22
Abstract
Abstract Liquid crystal polymers of general formula <IMAGE> wherein the ratio b : a is less than 3 and greater than O, X is a mesogenic group of formula <IMAGE> where A and B are cyclic groups, preferably phenyl, which may carry lateral substituents, preferably methyl, R may be F, CH3, CN, R1 , OR1 or COOR1 where R1 is alkyl, Y is COO1 OOC, CH2CH2, c is 0 or 1. A preferred group X is <IMAGE> The polymers may be used for optical information storage either alone or in mixture with other liquid crystals for example with smectic materials of formula <IMAGE> where R'' is alkyl or alkoxy and r is 0 or 1.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Gray
- 👤 Gary Nestor
- 👤 David Lacey
- 👤 Ciaran B. McArdle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:39
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/04; C09K19/40; C09K19/406; C09K19/408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An electro-optic information storage device comprising two substantially parallel walls, defining a space therebetween, each wall having an electrode layer on that one of its major surfaces which faces the other said wall; and a quantity of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) optical storage medium within said space and in contact with each said electrode, said liquid crystal polymer optical storage medium having a general formula I ##STR34## wherein X is a mesogenic group having a general structure ##STR35## wherein ##STR36## may carry lateral methyl, fluro or chloro substituents, and are selected from phenyl, trans-cyclohexyl, pyridyl, pyri midyl, dioxanyl and bicyclo-(2,2,2)-octyl; wherein Y is COO, OOC or CH 2 CH 2 , C is 0 or 1; wherein n is an integer between 4 and 9 inclusive; wherein R is F, CF 3 , CN, R 1 , OR 1 or COOR 1 where R 1 is alkyl, and (L) indicates that a lateral methyl or fluoro substituent may be present; in cases other than when R is CN and Y is COO and n=5 and C=1, L=CH 3 : wherein the ratio b:a is less than 3 and greater than 0; the polymer being a random or substantially random polymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electro-optic information storage device comprising two substantially parallel walls, defining a space therebetween, each wall having an electrode layer on that one of its major surfaces which faces the other said wall; and a quantity of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) optical storage medium within said space and in contact with each said electrode, said liquid crystal polymer optical storage medium having a general formula I ##STR34## wherein X is a mesogenic group having a general structure ##STR35## wherein ##STR36## may carry lateral methyl, fluro or chloro substituents, and are selected from phenyl, trans-cyclohexyl, pyridyl, pyri midyl, dioxanyl and bicyclo-(2,2,2)-octyl; wherein Y is COO, OOC or CH 2 CH 2 , C is 0 or 1; wherein n is an integer between 4 and 9 inclusive; wherein R is F, CF 3 , CN, R 1 , OR 1 or COOR 1 where R 1 is alkyl, and (L) indicates that a lateral methyl or fluoro substituent may be present; in cases other than when R is CN and Y is COO and n=5 and C=1, L=CH 3 : wherein the ratio b:a is less than 3 and greater than 0; the polymer being a random or substantially random polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A storage device according to claim 1, wherein X in Formula I is selected from structures (Xa) to (Xi) as follows: ##STR37##
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the ratio b:a of said LCP is between 1.4:1 and 1:1.4.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the average degree of polymerisation (DP) of said LCP is in the range 10 to 100 inclusive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the polydispersity of said LCP is between 1 and 20.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said optical storage medium comprises a mixture of at least two compounds, at least one of which is an LCP of Formula I and at least one of which is a liquid crystal material having a molecular mass less than 500 ("LMM liquid crystal material").
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said LMM liquid crystal material shows a smectic phase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said LMM liquid crystal material contains at least one compound of formula ##STR38## where n is 0 or 1 and R"is n-alkyl or n-alkoxy containing 8 to 12 carbon atoms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein said LMM liquid crystal material contains ##STR39##
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein X of said LCP is selected from structures (Xa) to (Xg) ##STR40## and the ratio b:a is between 1.4:1 and 1:1.4.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein X has a structure (Xb).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said optical storage medium also contains a pleochroic dye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said pleochroic dye is a suitable anthroquinone dye.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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