Aerosol jet printed ionic liquid-doped polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices in optical systems

We introduce a novel method for fabricating Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) devices using aerosol jet printing (AJP). Our method simplifies PDLC device structure by directly printing the electrode directly onto the PDLC surface during fabrication. This advancement enables non-contact, direct deposition of patterned active optical devices. Miniaturization of such devices have potential in optical logic and neural network systems. We've successfully demonstrated the direct deposition of PDLC films onto non-planar optical surfaces, printing a functional device over the 90° edge of a prism. Surface analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy reveals the morphology of both the polymer electrodes and the liquid crystal domains within the host polymer. We further demonstrate printed ion gel doped PDLC and report quantification of the electrical and optical properties within spatially restrictive optical systems.