Soft Photonics Systems, University of Southampton
The Soft Photonics Systems group is based at the University of Southampton. We research and develop instruments and software for the characterisation and optimisation of liquid crystal devices. We also pursue a number of research projects on the fundamental aspects of liquid crystal science, their topological characterisation, the biological and physical properties of living liquid crystals, their applications in photovoltaic and in nanostructures optical devices.
The optical multi-parameter analyser (OMPA) is a compact, all-in-one device measuring elastic and viscosity parameters of nematic liquid crystals (LCs). Provides wide area optical quality and uniformity analysis of LC devices. Using single optical assembly and one LC sample, it determines the following LC parameters:
•Splay and bend elastic constants (K1 and K3)
•Rotational viscosity (γ1)
•Combination of Leslie viscosity coefficients (α4+ α5)
•Wide area mapping of LC layer thickness and alignment
OMPA is controlled by an easy-to-operate graphical user interface that runs the measuring apparatus and performs the data analysis. The device is integrated with bespoke numerical models which allows us to fit experimental data from liquid-crystal devices to get specific liquid-crystal related parameters.