Temperature-Tunable Heliconical and Ferroelectric Nematics for White Lasing.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40913384.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1002/adma.202511648 and PMC identifier 12759249.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC.
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Abstract
Nematic Liquid Crystals (LCs), noted for their simple molecular alignment and broad use in optoelectronics, remain unmodified for over a century. However, in 2017, a unique polar phase, the ferroelectric nematic (N<sub>F</sub>), is confirmed. Subsequently, in 2024, the revolutionary spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking of ferroelectric twist-bend nematic chiral structures (N<sub>TBF</sub> phase) is demonstrated. Nematic LCs are commonly used as optically active matrices for luminescent dyes, allowing the fine-tuning of emission properties through external fields. In this manuscript, the pioneering temperature-tunable lasing studies utilizing commercial dyes doped into a mixture that displays the N<sub>TBF</sub> phase within an exceptionally low-temperature range of 34-43.3 °C are shown. The subsequent experiments explore how lasing characteristics within N<sub>TBF</sub> and N<sub>F</sub> phases can be employed in a single, compact device to produce multicolor and white lasers. Furthermore, there are introduced spontaneously formed emissive fibers from the N<sub>TBF</sub> phase. As perspectives, the voltage-dependent increase of lasing intensity in N<sub>F</sub> is demonstrated, showing the exceptional result in two differently arranged LC cells. The findings highlight that simple molecules, like those in nature and living organisms, can shape intricate systems with significant implications for the accelerated progress of laser and display technologies, along with Li-Fi concepts.