Fig. 1. (a) Chemical structure of the used LC material (DIO), monomers (RM257, EHA), and photoinitiator (IRG651). (b) Schematic illustration for preparing the precursor and the fabrication of the sample. (c) Polarizing optical microscope (POM) images of the prepared sample filled in an ITO-coated cell of ∼20 µm at different temperatures. Crossed white and red arrows define the directions of the polarizer and analyzer. The inset shows the magnified view of the same.

Fig. 2. POM images of the prepared sample filled in an ITO-coated cell of 20 µm. (a) Effect of applied AC electric field of different amplitudes at 45°C with crossed polarizers. White and red arrows define the directions of the polarizer and analyzer. The electrical waveform is shown at top of (iii). (iv) After removing the electric field (EF) and UV exposure without a polarizer. (b) POM images of the polymerized sample without the polarizer. (i) ON and OFF states of the EF with positive waveform, (ii) ON and OFF states of the EF with the alternating positive and negative waveforms, and (iii) ON and OFF states of the EF with the negative waveform. The electrical waveform is shown at the top of the ON state. (c) Schematic orientation of molecules within the polymer network at (i) OFF and (ii) ON states.

Fig. 3. Variation in transmittance as a function of the applied voltage at different temperatures in (a) the N_F phase and (b) the N phase. (c) Variation in operating voltages (V_th and V_sat) and (d) contrast ratio (CR) at different temperatures obtained from (a) and (b).

Fig. 4. Variation of transmittance as a function of the applied positive and negative electric fields in (a) the N phase (80°C) and (b) the N_F phase (40°C) at different frequencies. With an increase in elapsed time, the color of the mask changes from light to dark.

Fig. 5. Electro-optical responses correspond to a positive pulse of the EF. (a) Different temperatures with fixed amplitude of the EF and for different amplitudes of EF in (b) the N phase and (c) the N_F phase. Variation of response time as a function of (d) temperature and (e),(f) amplitude of the applied EF.

Fig. 6. Photograph of image performance of fabricated sample in the OFF state and ON state at a temperature of 30°C for (a) near object and (b) far object. Applied voltages are mentioned in the corresponding images. (c) Transmittance value obtained for successive cycles of operation.