Three-dimensional lattice deformation of blue phase liquid crystals under electrostriction

In this work, we investigate the three-dimensional lattice deformation of blue phase (BP) liquid crystals under electrostriction. Using the in situ measurement of light diffraction signals from a twinned crystal, we propose a method to experimentally determine the lattice constants of BPs under an electric field; the overlap angle in the diffraction pattern of BP twinning domains gives the ratio of lattice constants in the lateral direction of the field, which can be analyzed together with the Bragg reflection peak wavelength along the field direction to yield three-dimensional lattice constants. The obtained values are confirmed to show good agreement with the diffraction data measured from a converging monochromatic light. Furthermore, by applying the method to BPs in a thin cell and specifying the transitions of azimuthal orientation, three-dimensional lattice deformation of BP I crystals and evolution of the azimuthal orientation are clarified under the electrostriction. Results reveal that the BPs confined to thin films undergo discrete elongation along the field direction and the BP I crystal undergoes larger lattice deformation in the field-perpendicular directions than that along the field. Our work allows a relatively easy determination of three-dimensional lattice constants of deformed BP crystals under an electric field, and the obtained results provide important insights into the understanding of the electrostriction behaviour of BPs towards improvement of the electro-optical performance of BP devices in practical applications.