Abstract: Liquid crystal cells and lenses having a variable resulting pre-tilt across two or more areas of the cell, and in particular, cells and lenses are provided wherein a resulting pre-tilt is varied across the cell according to any desired birefringence profile that can be utilized in liquid crystalline optical elements and liquid crystal displays. Methods of fabrication of the liquid crystal cells with variable resulting pre-tilt are disclosed.

Abstract: When a signal, which is switched between a first level (0 V) and a second level (Vseg) in a predetermined cycle, is input to a common electrode and respective segment electrodes of a plurality of polymer network (PN) liquid crystal display elements to be subjected to static driving, the plurality of PN liquid crystal display elements are divided into two or more groups. The level switching of a signal (SEG-A) that is output to the segment electrode of the PN liquid crystal display element included in one group and the level switching of a signal (SEG-B) that is output to the segment electrode of the PN liquid crystal display element as each signal output to the respective segment electrodes of the plurality of PN liquid crystal display elements are performed at timings that do not overlap each other.

Abstract: There is disclosed a double-sided liquid crystal display (LCD) panel which includes a first polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer configured to be responsive to an applied DC voltage for making the first PDLC layer substantially transparent; a center liquid crystal cell layer; a second PDLC layer configured to be responsive to an applied DC voltage for making the second PDLC layer substantially transparent; and an LCD control module configured to control the first and second PDLC layers such that the center liquid crystal cell layer is viewable from a selected viewing side. Depending on the selected viewing side, the LCD control module is configured to select one of the first and second PDLC layers to make substantially transparent, and the other of the first and second PDLC layers to make substantially translucent. A light source may be applied to a side of a translucent one of the PDLC layers to provide a backlight for the center liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: Provided are a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display device and a method of manufacturing the same. The PDLC display device may include a PDLC layer between facing substrates, wherein the PDLC layer has at least two regions including polymers having different concentrations.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for reducing speckle in an image produced from a coherent light source includes directing a beam of coherent light at an electrically controlled diffuser. An electrical signal is applied to the electrically controlled diffuser to produce an electrical field across the electrically controlled diffuser layer. At least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the electrical signal are varied to transition the controlled diffuser between a first state and a second state. The varied application of the electrical signal operates to reduce spatial coherence in an image projected through the electrically controlled diffuser.

Abstract: A method is provided for color tuning a plasmonic device with a color tunable electronic skin. A plasmonic electronic skin is used, including a first substrate, a plasmonic structure, an electrically conductive transparent first electrode layer, an electrically conductive transparent second electrode layer, and a polymer-networked liquid crystal (PNLC) layer interposed between the first and second transparent electrode layers. In response to receiving a color tuning voltage, a full visible spectrum incident light, and a PNLC switch voltage, the plasmonic structure generates a first primary color. A primary color exhibits a single wavelength peak with a spectral full width at half magnitudes (FWHMs) in the visible spectrum of light. In response to receiving the PNLC switch voltage between the first and second electrode layers, the PNLC layer passes incident light.

Abstract: A plasmonic display device is provided having dual modulation mechanisms. The device has an electrically conductive bottom electrode that may be either transparent or reflective. A dielectric layer overlies the bottom electrode, made from an elastic polymer material having a refractive index responsive to an electric field. An electrically conductive top electrode, either transparent or reflective, overlies the dielectric layer. A plasmonic layer, including a plurality of discrete plasmonic particles, is interposed between the top and bottom electrodes and in contact with the dielectric layer. In one aspect, the plasmonic layer is embedded in the dielectric layer. Alternately, the plasmonic layer overlies the bottom (or top) electrode. Then, the dielectric layer overlies the plasmonic layer particles and exposed regions of the bottom electrode between the first plasmonic layer particles.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a bottom substrate having a top surface; a sealant located on the top surface of the bottom substrate, wherein the sealant has a pre-curing temperature; a liquid crystal mixture including a liquid crystal material and at least one reactive monomer located on the top surface of the bottom substrate and surrounded by the sealant, the at least one reactive monomer having a melting point higher than 120° C., wherein the melting point of the reactive monomer is higher than the pre-curing temperature of the sealant; at least one polymer layer polymerized from the reactive monomer, located between the bottom substrate and the liquid crystal material; and a top substrate covering the sealant and the bottom substrate to seal the liquid crystal mixture and the at least one polymer layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a light-shielding film, a plurality of subpixels on the first substrate, a first electrode for each of the subpixels, a second electrode for each of the subpixels, and a color filter formed on the second substrate for each of the subpixels. The second electrodes each include a plurality of linear portions, wherein the subpixels include first and second subpixels that are adjacent to each other. A signal line forms between the first subpixel and second subpixel, and the color filter is formed across the signal line in the same color, and the second electrodes of the first and second subpixels are formed separately, and the second electrode of the first subpixel is disposed to an area of the second subpixel beyond the signal line.

Abstract: A light-modulating material includes a transparent front surface layer, an intermediate layer including a liquid crystal forming an isotropic phase and a transparent back surface layer, laminated in this order.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which is capable of further decreasing the cost of production yet obtaining a good liquid crystal alignment, and a method of producing the same. The liquid crystal display device comprises a pair of substrates arranged facing each other; a liquid crystal sealed between the substrates; and an ultraviolet ray-cured product for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal. The ultraviolet ray-cured product is formed near the interfaces to the substrates by polymerizing a polymerizable component mixed in the liquid crystal with light. The polymerizable component contains a polyfunctional monomer having a symmetrical structure, and the ultraviolet ray-cured product has a side-chain structure.

Abstract: A bifunctional polymerizable compound represented by the following formula: A-E1-E2-(E3)k-E4-B wherein A is CH2?CR1—COO-(L1)m-; B is CH2?CR2—COO-(L2)n-; each of R1 and R2 which are independent of each other, is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; each of L1 and L2 is —(CH2)P— wherein p is each independently an integer of from 2 to 8, each of m and n which are independent of each other, is 0 or 1, provided that when at least one of m and n is 1, there may be an etheric oxygen atom between the carbon-carbon linkage of —(CH2)P— or at the terminal on the side bonded to E1 or E4, and at least one hydrogen atom may be substituted by a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or a methyl group; each of E1 and E4 is a 1,4-phenylene group; and one of E2 and E3 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group and the other is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group or a 1,4-phenylene group, k is 0 or 1, provided that when k is 0, E2 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, and the 1,4-phenylene group and the trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group as E1 to E4 m

Abstract: There are provided a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display not using a backlight unit and a method of fabricating the same. The PDLC display comprises a rear substrate over which a thin film transistor (TFT), a first electrode, and a second electrode are formed, a front substrate apart from the rear substrate and having a first black matrix formed thereon corresponding to a region where the TFT is formed, a PDLC layer disposed below the first black matrix and formed between the front and rear substrates, a light source formed on one side of the PDLC layer and configured to provide light to the side of the PDLC layer, and a first reflection plate formed on the other side of the PDLC layer and configured to reflect light incident via the PDLC layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a liquid crystal material that can be addressed by an electric field.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided which includes: a liquid crystal panel; an image information application unit disposed on a side opposite to a display side of the liquid crystal panel; an illumination unit for irradiating light to the image information application unit; a liquid crystal shutter device disposed between the image information application unit and the liquid crystal panel; a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal layer disposed in the liquid crystal shutter device and containing liquid crystal molecules and polymers, in which the polymers are aligned in a twisted manner at a twist angle larger than 0 degree and smaller than 180 degrees; and a polarization layer disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the liquid crystal shutter device so that in a rotation direction where the polymers are aligned in a twisted manner, an absorption axis thereof is set in a direction substantially perpendicular to a radial direction where the polymers are twisted by half the twist angle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing LCD includes providing a bottom substrate, applying a sealant on its top surface, providing a liquid crystal mixture including a vertical alignment liquid crystal material and at least one reactive monomer which are surrounded by the sealant, providing a top substrate so that its bottom surface covers the sealant and the bottom substrate, performing a pre-curing process to pre-cure the sealant under a first temperature, and performing an active curing process under a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display including a pair of substrates having a predetermined cell gap and arranged opposite to each other, vertical alignment films formed between the pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sealed between the vertical alignment films and having a negative dielectric anisotropy, and a cured material provided in the liquid crystal layer and including a liquid crystal skeleton, which is tilted with respect to the substrate at a first angle, for changing tilt angles of liquid crystal molecules for each of predetermined regions. The vertical alignment films have an alignment control direction that defines a second angle with respect to said substrates, wherein the second angle is different from the first angle.

Abstract: Described herein are the materials, mechanisms and procedures for optimizing various performance parameters of HPDLC optical devices in order to meet differing performance requirements. These optimization tailoring techniques include control and independent optimization of switchable HPDLC optical devices to meet the demanding requirements of anticipated applications for, inter alia, the telecommunications and display industries. These techniques include optimization of diffraction efficiency, i.e., index modulation, polarization dependence control, haze, cosmetic quality, control of response and relaxation time, voltage driving for on and off switching, and material uniformity. This control and independent optimization tailors properties of switchable HPDLC optical devices according to the specific requirements of the application of the switchable HPDLC optical device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal optical device showing small haze value in transparent state and being excellent in productivity, a process for producing such a device, and a liquid crystal composition for producing such a device. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention is a liquid crystal composition containing a nematic liquid crystal and at least two types of optically active materials having different optical rotatory directions, wherein one of the optically active materials having different optical rotatory directions is a non-curable compound, the other one of the optically active materials is a curable compound, and the liquid crystal composition as a whole shows a nematic phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention is a liquid crystal display device having a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates, and a plurality of pixels each having a display region, in that: the liquid crystal layer is optically isotropic when an selective electric field is not applied and optically aisotropic when an electric field is applied and includes a material whose refractive index changes depending on the strength of the electric field; and the plurality of pixels include first and second pixels different in the electric field strength.

Abstract: A polymer dispersed liquid crystal light shutter device and method for use of the same are disclosed. First and second substrates are disposed substantially parallel. A polymer binder system is interposed between the first and second substrates and a plurality of liquid crystals are dispersed in the polymer binder system. The liquid crystal shutter device is able to switch between a high light absorbing dark state and a low light absorbing transparent state, and visa versa, with a low driving voltage. The liquid crystal shutter device includes formulations of liquid crystal mixtures having nematic liquid crystals and polymer systems to provide a wide viewing angle, low driving voltage, high contrast ratio, for example.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprises a layer of liquid crystal material (3) between spaced-apart cell walls (1,2), and electrodes (5) provided on at least one cell wall for applying an electric field across at least a part of said liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal material has anisotropic light-absorbing particles dispersed therein and substantially aligned therewith. The invention also provides a composition for use in the display.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite containing a matrix component and at least one liquid crystal component includes providing a matrix, providing a first material that is phase separable from the matrix, adding the first material to the matrix, and replacing the first material that is phase separable form the matrix with a second material exhibiting liquid crystalline behavior.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) having a liquid crystal layer is provided. In one embodiment, the liquid crystal layer includes a nematic liquid crystal material having liquid crystal molecules in an untwisted state. A chiral dopant is dispersed within the liquid crystal layer and configured to bias the liquid crystal molecules toward a twisted state. Furthermore, a polymer network is disposed among the liquid crystal molecules and configured to bias the liquid crystal molecules toward the untwisted state. Various additional devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to improve deterioration of display performance in a liquid crystal display device, especially to obtain rapid response with the alignment of a liquid crystal maintained. According to one feature of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device comprises a pair of substrates where an electrode is formed in one side of each substrate; liquid crystals; and a ferroelectric, wherein the pair of substrates is disposed so that the electrodes oppose to each other, wherein the liquid crystal is sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein the ferroelectric includes an organic material and wherein the ferroelectric particles are dispersed in the liquid crystal.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain a polymer-stabilized liquid crystal composition which can suppress dependency of a driving voltage on a temperature by decreasing the driving voltage. To a low-molecular liquid crystal compound, a chiral compound, and a specific acrylate and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound as polymerizable acrylate compounds are added, to prepare a polymer-stabilized liquid crystal composition. By subjecting the polymer-stabilized liquid crystal composition to ultraviolet exposure while maintaining a desired alignment state to form a polymer chain in a liquid crystal phase, a polymer-stabilized liquid crystal display device containing a low-molecular liquid crystal in a stabilized alignment state is obtained.

Abstract: A display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and microcapsules sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the microcapsules constituting a display area, the microcapsules encapsulating a display material whose optical properties change in response to electrical stimulation. A conductive material for conducting between the substrates is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate to constitute a vertically conducting portion. The thickness of the conductive material is set such that the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate at the vertically conducting portion is larger than the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate in the display area.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The method includes the steps stated below. At first, providing an LCD panel including a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer therebetween. The liquid crystal layer includes several photo-sensitive monomers and several liquid crystal molecules. The LCD panel has at least a first pixel and a second pixel. Afterwards, correspondingly driving the first pixel and the second pixel by the first voltage and the second voltage. At last, applying a ultra-violet source onto the LCD panel to enable several photo-sensitive monomers to polymerize several alignment polymers on the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a pair of substrates with at least one liquid crystal cell therebetween, filled with a mixture of an alignment solution and liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules are exposed to UV rays and a first voltage is applied to the pair of substrates to form a polymer network in each of the liquid crystal cells. Thus, the liquid crystal molecules achieve a bend state without transiting from a splay state. Further, a method of aligning the liquid crystal molecules is provided.

Abstract: Doped electrically actuatable (electrically addressable or switchable) polymer flakes have enhanced and controllable electric field induced motion by virtue of doping a polymer material that functions as the base flake matrix with either a distribution of insoluble dopant particles or a dopant material that is completely soluble in the base flake matrix. The base flake matrix may be a polymer liquid crystal material, and the dopants generally have higher dielectric permittivity and/or conductivity than the electrically actuatable polymer base flake matrix. The dopant distribution within the base flake matrix may be either homogeneous or non-homogeneous. In the latter case, the non-homogeneous distribution of dopant provides a dielectric permittivity and/or conductivity gradient within the body of the flakes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, devices and methods related to the alignment of materials including polymers. In some cases, the present invention comprises the assembly of molecules (e.g., polymers) via intermolecular interactions to produce extended networks, which may have enhanced properties relative to the individual molecules. Such networks may be advantageous for use in electronics, photovoltaics, sensor applications, and the like. In some embodiments, the present invention may enhance the performance of certain optical devices, such as liquid crystal displays (e.g., color liquid crystal displays) by providing enhanced contrast ratio, faster response times, and/or lower operating voltage.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to suppress light leakage in a dark state which is generated by rubbing treatment. A liquid crystal material containing an ultraviolet curable liquid crystalline monomer at a concentration of more than 0 wt % and not more than 1.0 wt % is used for a liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal layer is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. By applying such a liquid crystal layer to a liquid crystal display device, light leakage in a dark state can be suppressed, and the black display can be improved. Therefore, a liquid crystal display device with an excellent contrast and high display quality can be obtained.

Abstract: A variable focus liquid crystal lens includes a nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture having a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure, and an electrode for applying a substantially uniform voltage to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture. The lens is created within a cell by applying a substantially uniform electric field to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture within the cell, while simultaneously irradiating the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture using a laser beam having a shaped intensity distribution, so as to induce formation of a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure within the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides liquid crystal devices comprised of a composite of an internal polymer network localized on the substrate surfaces and short-pitch dual-frequency switchable cholesteric liquid crystal that operate in two different modes including in-plane switching (amplitude modulation) and out-of-plane switching (phase modulation). The invention further provides a method of making a liquid crystal device demonstrating uniform lying helical axis where the device comprises a composite of an internal spatially ordered polymer network localized by in-situ photo-polymerization at the surface of the substrate. The invention can be used for flat panel displays, as well as spatial light modulators for applications such as optical waveguides, optical beam scanners, computer-generated holograms, and adaptive optics.

Abstract: A wide viewing angle liquid crystal display (LCD) panel comprising an upper substrate, a lower substrate, and a liquid crystal (LC) layer is provided. The upper substrate is assembled above the lower substrate. The LC layer is interposed between the two substrates. The LC layer has LC molecules mixed with a predetermined percentage of negative anisotropic monomers. The optical axes of the monomers and the LC molecules as the LCD panel in dark state forms an angle less than 10 degree.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display comprising a substrate, an electrically modulated imaging layer, at least one conductive layer, and a drive voltage-reducing layer between said conductive layer and said electrically modulated imaging layer, wherein said drive voltage-reducing layer has an SER greater than 109 ohms per square and a method for imaging the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display comprising at least one substrate, at least one electrically conductive layer and at least one electronically modulated imaging layer, wherein the electronically modulated imaging layer comprises a self-assembled, close-packed, ordered monolayer of domains of electrically modulated material in a random coil fixed polymer matrix and filler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a liquid crystal material that can be addressed by an electric field.

Abstract: A display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and microcapsules sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the microcapsules constituting a display area, the microcapsules encapsulating a display material whose optical properties change in response to electrical stimulation. A conductive material for conducting between the substrates is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate to constitute a vertically conducting portion. The thickness of the conductive material is set such that the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate at the vertically conducting portion is larger than the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate in the display area.

Abstract: A black-white liquid crystal display using a cholesteric liquid crystal material and a method for manufacturing such a liquid crystal display using polymerization/phase-separation, resulting in diffused polymeric molecules and polymeric cell walls, so as to minimize the manufacturing time, strengthen the polymeric wall and enhance the contrast ratio as well as the brightness.

Abstract: The invention provides an optically isotropic liquid crystal composition having: a liquid crystal component comprising a liquid crystal component A consisting of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds having difluoroalkenyl and compounds having alkenyl; and chiral dopants, wherein in the liquid crystal component, the content of compounds having 3 or more ring structures is approximately 15 wt % or more.

Abstract: In a preparation method, a chiral or cholesteric liquid crystal, a photoreactive monomer, and a photoinitiator are disposed in a liquid crystal cell. A principal surface of the liquid crystal cell is illuminated with ultraviolet light selected to have a non-uniform ultraviolet light intensity profile in the liquid crystal cell. The illuminating cooperates with the photoinitiator to polymerize at least a portion of the photoreactive monomer near the principal surface to generate a polymer network having a density corresponding to the non-uniform ultraviolet light intensity profile. The polymer network biases the liquid crystal toward a selected helical alignment direction. In some embodiments, the illuminating includes illuminating with first and second ultraviolet light intensity profiles to produce surface and volume polymer network components.

Abstract: To provide a light control device including a liquid crystal element which does not need a polarizing plate and an alignment layer and is compact and high in contrast ratio, and can be driven at low applied voltage and can exhibit stable performance even if environmental temperature varies, and a driving method for the light control device, as well as an image pickup apparatus using the light control device. A liquid crystal cell (1) is fabricated by injecting a mixture in which liquid crystal, a polymer precursor, and a polymerization initiator into an empty cell constituted by two transparent substrates (8) which are stuck together with a gap of 4-11 ?m and on each of whose opposed surfaces a transparent electrode (9) is formed, and the polymer precursor is polymerized and then a random three-dimensional network polymer (3) is formed in the continuous layer of liquid crystal (2). The liquid crystal cell (1) is driven by applying a voltage according to the environmental temperature.

Abstract: A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal system has a continuous polymer structure having defined therein a plurality of discrete bodies of liquid crystal material. The bodies of liquid crystal material exhibit a polydomain operating state in which the liquid crystal material within each body is arranged in multiple domains, each domain being defined by a quantity of liquid crystal material whose molecules have a substantially common identifiable alignment in at least one axis, wherein the resolved alignments of neighbouring domains diverge substantially from one another and are stable over time.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition intended to be applied to the surface of a base material to form a phase difference layer, the liquid crystal composition being capable of forming a phase difference layer well indicating homeotropic orientation without the presence of an oriented film, even if the liquid crystal composition is directly applied to the base material surface, as well as a phase difference layer formed by the liquid crystal composition, a color filter and a liquid crystal display apparatus using the phase difference layer, and further a method of forming the phase difference layer. To a liquid crystal composition containing one kind or two or more kinds of crosslinking liquid crystal compounds is further added at least an amino-based silane coupling agent to prepare a liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal/polymer composite is sandwiched between a pair of substrates with electrodes, the polymer forms a plurality of column resins, column resins of which the major axis directions substantially agree with the normal direction of the substrate plane and column resins which are aligned on the tilt coexist, the content of the polymer is at least 10 wt %, the alignment of the liquid crystal substantially agrees with the normal direction and the liquid crystal is in a light transmitting state under application of no voltage, and the alignment of the liquid crystal changes and the liquid crystal is in a light scattering state under application of a voltage.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a liquid crystal display device that does not need any surface aligning treatment, realizes striking increase of a response speed of movie display and is free from any light leakage (produce dark field) at black display. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] There is provided a liquid crystal display device comprising a pair of transparent substrates and, interposed therebetween, a polymer stabilized blue-phase liquid crystal. The liquid crystal display device utilizing the polymer stabilized blue-phase liquid crystal exhibits a large birefringence change upon application of an electric field to cell substrate in an in-plane direction. The polymer stabilized blue-phase liquid crystal is composed of a low-molecular liquid crystal capable of developing a blue phase between cholesteric phase and isotropic phase and a polymer network created in the low-molecular liquid crystal.

Abstract: An electro-optical switch, which can be switched between a substantially transparent state and a scattering state on basis of respective applied voltages, is disclosed. The electro-optical switch has a reflection-voltage curve that is steep enough to allow multiplexing. The electro-optical switch comprises: a scattering layer (302) comprising a liquid crystal-polymer composite; and a reflective layer (306) for reflecting a portion of scattered light back towards the scattering layer (302).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and method that are adaptive to compensate for brightness deviation among red, green and blue colors. This device includes red liquid crystal cell lines having red liquid crystal cells, green liquid crystal cell lines having green liquid crystal cells, and blue liquid crystal cell lines having blue liquid crystal cells. Common electrodes are formed for each red, green and blue liquid crystal line. A common electrode of at least one liquid crystal cell line of the red, green and blue liquid crystal cell lines is supplied with a different common voltage that is a reference voltage to drive the liquid crystal cells.

Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octancic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains.