Photosensitive Liquid Crystals

Dear Colleagues,

Photosensitive materials capable of structural changes upon light irradiation, leading to the modification of their optical properties, have recently been the subject of intensive study due to their immense application potential in non-linear optics and photonics. Particularly, soft self-assembling materials (liquid crystals, combining the fluidity of liquids and the orientational ordering of solid crystals) can be utilized in the fabrication of various devices. However, photosensitive liquid crystals represent not only important materials of the current information age, but also a fascinating state of matter which continues to surprise scientists worldwide. From the pool of photosensitive units applied in the design of liquid crystals, the azo group stands out for the distinct conditions of its photoisomerization. The unique features of the azo group gave rise to materials and photosensitive dopants with intriguing properties, such as the photo-switching of chirality. Nevertheless, other photosensitive groups can be utilized to design and synthesize functional materials capable of self-assembly modulation on light stimulus.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an open platform for fundamental new research on the chemistry, physics, and possible applications of photosensitive liquid crystals.

Dr. Michal Kohout
Dr. Mohamed Alaasar
Guest Editors

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