| abstract |
The present invention relates generally to homogeneous, and preferably isotropic, non-scatterings films, made from mixtures comprising at least one photocurable monomer or oligomer in admixture with at least one liquid crystal or a liquid crystal mixture and preferably being arranged on a substrate or between two such substrates. An irradiation procedure with a non-homogeneous field of actinic light at room temperature transfers the initially homogeneous film in a film which is characterized by areas comprising at least mainly photocured polymer and areas comprising at least mainly liquid crystal or liquid crystal mixtures. Such films may have 1D, 2D or 3D diffraction structures, and may for example be used as transmission, reflection or slantwise gratings or other optical elements for a wide variety of purposes. The diffractive structures are characterized by low values of light scattering, high anisotropy, a high switching contrast, a fast electro-optical response and a wide tuneable spectral region. |