Model for the photoinduced formation of diffraction gratings in liquid-crystalline composite materials

The photoinduced formation of switchable diffraction gratings in polymer-based liquid-crystalline (LC) composite materials was modeled. Two control parameters which governed the whole process of grating formation were identified. The main features of the curing process of diffraction gratings in polymer-based liquid crystalline composite materials was explained by taking into account that diffusion of monomer and LC molecules also occurred along with the formation of polymer chains. Diffusion was the main mechanisms that determined which kind of grating was going to be formed - polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) or polymer liquid crystal polymer slices (POLICRYPS).