Magnetic Liquid Switching Using Rodlike Ferronematic 6CHBT Liquid Crystal Mixture Depending on the Diffraction Patterns

Abstract

Diffraction patterns formed by a ferronematic sample, which contains 4-(trans-4-n-hexylcyclohexyl)-isothiocyanatobenzene (6CHBT) liquid crystal doped with Fe₃O₄ rodlike magnetic nanoparticles, was studied. The studied mixture can be applicated as a liquid magnetic switch. The diffraction patterns were observed from the micro-lines scribed on the polymer layer, which was contained by the liquid crystal mixture cell, with dimensions of 4 nm for depth and 0.32 µm for width and 5000 line per 1 mm² in the case of absence and presence of the DC magnetic field. From the experimental results, it was observed that the application of the magnetic field caused more than 17% expansion in the diffraction patterns area at the focused point, while the number of patterns was increased by 25%. This change in the diffraction area due to the application of a magnetic field gives the motive to sense the low DC magnetic field which could be useful in the application of liquid switching.