Determination of Optimal Operating Conditions for Liquid Crystal Cells
https://doi.org/10.32603/1993-8985-2026-29-1-114-125
Abstract
Introduction. Due to their high sensitivity to external influences, liquid crystal (LC) cells based on nematic materials, such as 5CB, are widely used in optoelectronic devices. However, the performance characteristics of such cells are significantly affected by operating conditions, including the presence of nanoparticles in their composition. Despite extensive research into the influence of electric fields on LC structures, a comprehensive analysis of switching dynamics under different driving signal shapes in the presence of magnetic nanoparticles such as CoFe2O4 remains limited. This study set out to investigate the effect of driving voltage waveform on the dynamic response of an LC composite with magnetic nanoparticles. Aim. To determine an optimal shape of the driving signal that minimizes switching time and ensures stable electro-optical properties of a LC cell with CoFe2O4. Materials and methods. The study was carried out on an LC cell containing nematic 5CB with uniformly distributed magnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. The cell was driven by sinusoidal, rectangular, and triangular voltage signals generated by a function generator. Measurements were performed using an optical setup including a laser source, crossed polarizers, and a photodiode connected to an oscilloscope. Results. The shortest switching time (4 ms) was achieved with a sinusoidal signal. Rectangular signals produced a 6 ms response, while triangular signals resulted in 5 ms. An increase in the pulse duration led to a greater signal amplitude, having no effect on the switching speed. Conclusion. The study confirmed that the shape of the driving signal significantly affects the behavior of LC cells with CoFe2O4. The sinusoidal signal was found to be the most effective in terms of response time, which is important for the development of next-generation high-speed optical devices.
About the Authors
Ya. V. Barnash
Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University; JSC S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute; Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B. P. Konstantinov of NRC "Kurchatov Institute"
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Yaroslav V. Barnash, Master's degree in Electronics and nanoelectronics; Postgraduate student of the Department of Photonics. Junior Researcher. The author of 12 scientific publications. Area of expertise: photonics.
A. A. Tyagunov
Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexander A. Tyagunov, Master's degree in Electronics and nanoelectronics, Postgraduate student of the Department of Photonics.The author of 2 scientific publications. Area of expertise: photonics.
N. V. Kamanina
Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University; JSC S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute; Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B. P. Konstantinov of NRC "Kurchatov Institute"
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Natalia V. Kamanina, Dr Sci. (Phys.-Math.) (2001), Senior Researcher, Head of Laboratory; Professor of the Department of Photonics; Leading Researcher. The author of 325 scientific publications. Area of expertise: photonics.
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For citations:
Barnash Ya.V., Tyagunov A.A., Kamanina N.V. Determination of Optimal Operating Conditions for Liquid Crystal Cells. Journal of the Russian Universities. Radioelectronics. 2026;29(1):114-125. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32603/1993-8985-2026-29-1-114-125
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