Fringing-field-induced phase separation dynamics in liquid-crystal–(LC-)monomer mixtures is investigated via a microscope. At a low LC concentration, the fringing field converts the randomly dispersed LC droplets to an ordered droplet array, while at a high LC concentration the fringing field converts the amorphous LC-monomer system to a composite film. Because the LC and monomer are immiscible, the converted morphologies are stable even after the voltage is removed. Using the fringing field-induced phase separation, it is possible to prepare different polymer-dispersed LC morphologies.

• Received 31 July 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.117801