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STRUCTURE OF CRYSTALS LIQUIDS

Liquid crystals are materials where molecular even liquid, its constituent molecules
exhibit some degree of order. Because of this, they occupy an intermediate position
between the solid monocrystalline (anisotropic) and common liquid (isotropic). Liquid
crystals are fluids such as liquids, but on the other hand, exhibit anisotropic properties
as crystals.

1.1. Thermotropic LIQUID CRYSTALS:

The system search exhibits polymorphism, that is, for a given compound that can exist
over a liquid crystalline phase. In this group, the molecules are elongated, and phase
transitions are temperature dependent. Generally we can visualize the transition from
solid to liquid passing through the liquid crystalline phase and including the subtypes
nematic as:
 1.2. LIQUID CRYSTALS lyotropic:
Molecules that form lyotropic liquid crystals are surfactants comprising two distinct parts:
a polar, often ionic, which is the head and a nonpolar, often a hydrocarbon tail. (Not all
surfactants form lyotropic liquid crystals). Following the rule of "dissolve what" the head
is attracted to water, or hydrophilic (likes water), and the tail is repelled by water, or
hydrophobic (water-hatred). When dissolved at high enough concentrations, the ordering
of the molecules is such that the polar heads in contact with a polar solvent and / or the
nonpolar tails are in contact with a nonpolar solvent.

Liquid crystals, depending on its properties, be used for different purposes. For example,
those that reflect different color light as the temperature used in thermometer or detectors
tumors or fissures mechanical surfaces. For its electro-optical properties are used as the
basis for television screens, computer monitors, video projectors, printer heads,
calculator screens, watches, electronic games, etc. As light valves are able to accept a
low-light intensity and turn it into another outlet stronger.
Finally, the lyotropic liquid crystals are of great importance today in the detergent and
cosmetics.
One of the main reasons of industrial interest for liquid crystals has been its use in the
design of devices that combine the fluidity with optical and dielectric anisotropy of these
materials, so-called "displays".
In a watch, or an electronic game calculaodra, ambient light that reaches the surface of
the "display" passes through different components of the device, which are placed in a
sandwich structure. But this light will be reflected back if the orientation of the molecules
of the liquid crystal layer is in the center of the "display" is appropriate. Such orientation
can be controlled locally by connecting or disconnecting an electrical circuit established
with the small voltage battery. The result is that the display areas appear brightness or
different color, so that we see a number, letter or a specific shape. One key advantage
is that they can change in a matter of milliseconds or microseconds.

2. Phase transitions in liquid crystals

Liquid crystals have a variety of phase transitions. They are generally weakly first order
transitions (ie, a very small transition enthalpy) or higher order (transitions midfield,
critical or supercritical fluctuation). We usually study the nematic isotropic transition (NI)
and smectic-nematic A (SmA-N).

NI transition results from competition between thermally excited forces, which tend to
destroy the orientational order and molecular forces tending to align the molecular axes,
according to the theory of Maier and Saupe. In principle, this transition is first order, but
due to possible fluctuations nematic order parameter can be a higher order transition.

SmA-N transition depends on two parameters of order and its nature is thus different.
The order of the same, according to the theory of McMillan, Kobayashi and de Gennes,
depends on the range of the nematic phase. If it is small, the coupling between the
nematic and smectic parameters order causes the transition of first order. However, as
the nematic range increases, it varies such coupling and the order of the transition
derives higher order. When the nematic range is large enough, the nematic phase
transition saturates and belongs to the class universal 3D-XY.

3. INTERACTION liquid crystals polarized light

Liquid crystals transmit light, but also change their orientation in the process (horizontal
or vertical vibrations). This is very useful, that will be shown in the diagram and the lesson
below.

The light entering the polarizer (horizontal slots left) vibrates in a horizontal plane. The
light, after being transmitted through the liquid crystal vibrates in a vertical plane, allowing
it to pass through the vertical slots in the second polarizer.

Since light can only be shown through the second polarizer when passed through the
liquid crystal (horizontal vibrations are allowed through the vertical slots), this provides a
way to control the light display on a display glass liquid (more commonly known as a
LCD device).

Devices liquid crystal display (LCD devices) are commonly found in the industry, such
as digital clocks, microwave ovens, calculators and laptops. For example, in a microwave
oven, all "pixels" hexagon shaped light at different times to display a number (for
example, the number one contains two hexagons displayed vertically one above the
other). Each pixel contains two polarizers and a liquid crystal between them, activated
(allows the passage of light) when the hexagon is turned on, and off when it is not.

The ability of liquid crystal molecules to transmit light depends on its orientation, which
can be controlled by applying a low voltage on a film (thin layer) of material. If a small
voltage is applied, the liquid crystal orient properly, allowing light to be transmitted.
Otherwise, the liquid crystal will lose their orientation and block light from the first
polarizer. Therefore, the light and dark areas of the LCD devices can be controlled by
applying electrical current on certain areas of the screen.
An LCD

The basic scheme of a calculator display consists of two polarizers, a mirror, two glass
plates and a liquid crystal. Consider a very thin layer (0.01 - 0.1 mm) liquid crystal,
nematic generally located between the two glass plates made of a transparent
conductive (ITO) ceramic material. These plates are polished grooves producing
approximately the dimension of a liquid crystal molecule. Thus it is achieved that the
molecules in contact with the plates aligned in the direction of the polish. The interaction
between the molecules in contact with the plates and its neighbors that we get all oriented
in the direction of thickness polish. If under these conditions turn plate 90to the other
molecules are reoriented by acquiring the following distribution:

Figure 1: Behavior of liquid crystals when subjected to a voltage

a polarizer beside each plate is placed with its axis in the same direction as the direction
of polishing and mirror at the end of the device. As shown in Figure 2, if illuminated by
natural light, after passing through the first polarizer will be polarized vertically it. Below
you will cross the first glass plate and continue to spread in the liquid crystal polarized
as will mark the different orientations of the molecules, leading to the second plate with
horizontal polarization. As the second polarizer has its oriented in the same direction
axis, the light reaches the mirror without suffering losses. Once the beam is reflected
here and breaks the path, only now the linearly polarized light exits the device.
 Figure 2: Illumination optical system without applied voltage. The screen is clear and
transparent

Under these conditions the calculator screen will be clear and transparent. If we apply a
field perpendicular to the plates molecules will be oriented in the same direction.

Figure 3 perpendicular field applied across the plates

The light will cross the first polarizer and reach the plate as the absence of field. However,
entering the liquid crystal now acquire the polarization that is marked by the molecules,
i.e., perpendicular to the plate. Thus the light will reach the second polarizer polarized
perpendicularly to the axis thereof, thus will not reach the mirror.

Figure 4: lighting optical system with applied voltage. The screen is dark

The observer will now see the completely dark screen. After what we have seen we can
select the areas of application of the electric field distinguishing dark and light areas, may
lead to the structures we want as numbers calculator.