Light scattering by liquid crystals in columnar micropores

Abstract
The optical transmittances of anodic alumina films which contain nematic liquid crystals in columnar pores were studied. Since liquid crystals are enclosed in narrow pores of ∼2000 Å diameter, light scattering occurs not only by the refractive index mismatch between the liquid crystals and alumina but also by the prominent distribution of the refractive index inside the liquid crystals. The transmittance changes reversibly with an electric field and temperature.