Low power operation of ferroelectric liquid crystal system dispersed with zinc oxide nanoparticles

We present the results based on electro-optical properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) doped ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC). It is observed that ZnO-NPs-FLC system has low operating voltage and improved optical contrast. The lowering in operating voltage and improvement in optical contrast has been attributed to larger dipole moment of ZnO-NPs that enhances the anchoring of FLC molecules around ZnO-NPs. The effect of ZnO-NPs on the material parameters of FLC has also been observed. These studies will certainly provide a tool to understand the interaction of ZnO-NPs with FLC molecules that can be utilized to fabricate low threshold electro-optic devices.