Liquid crystal composition and spatial light modulator containing the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition and a spatial light modulator comprising the same. The liquid crystal composition comprises at least one compound of formula I and at least one compound of formula II. Through the mutual cooperation of liquid crystal components, the liquid crystal composition has higher dielectric anisotropy, greater optical anisotropy, lower flow viscosity, smaller low-temperature storage phase transition point, smaller delay amount and lower driving voltage under the premise of maintaining appropriate clearing point, appropriate optical anisotropy and appropriate VHR (UV). The liquid crystal composition is suitable for use in liquid crystal display devices with high requirements on temperature use range, response speed and power consumption, and is particularly suitable for use in spatial light modulators, so that the driving voltage and energy consumption of the spatial light modulator are lower, the dielectric loss is small, the temperature range of adaptation is wide, the light modulation ability is strong, the picture display is sensitive, the reliability is high, and it is more economical and environmentally friendly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of liquid crystal materials, and in particular relates to a liquid crystal composition and a spatial light modulator comprising the same. Background Art

[0002] As liquid crystal display technology becomes increasingly mature, liquid crystal materials are increasingly being applied to other fields. Among them, liquid crystal spatial light modulators, which are manufactured based on the electro-optical effect of liquid crystals, effectively reconstruct the complex amplitude information of the incident light by loading it onto a one-dimensional or two-dimensional distribution field, thereby achieving real-time control of the light wavefront. Liquid crystal spatial light modulators have become ideal optical wavefront control elements with many advantages such as programmability, no mechanical inertia, real-time, and fast response speed.

[0003] Liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be regarded as a programmable DOE. Its programmable characteristics avoid the shortcomings of ordinary DOE, such as single structure and high processing requirements. DOE based on liquid crystal spatial light modulator does not require complex and time-consuming processing and manufacturing process. It only needs to be programmed by computer and the generated grayscale image can be directly loaded to flexibly realize real-time modulation of the incident light wavefront.

[0004] Liquid crystal spatial light modulators can be classified into different categories according to different standards: (1) According to the different directions of incident light and outgoing light, they can be divided into transmission type and reflection type; light passing through the reflection type liquid crystal spatial light modulator is equivalent to light being modulated twice in the liquid crystal layer, which reduces the thickness of the liquid crystal layer and improves the response speed, but the disadvantage is that a dichroic prism is usually required to separate the incident light and the outgoing light in space. (2) According to different control signals, they can be divided into electrical addressing type and optical addressing type. (3) According to different modulation objects, they can be divided into amplitude type and phase type. Amplitude type liquid crystal spatial light modulators mainly modulate the intensity of incident light by controlling the transmittance of light, and are widely used in projection and liquid crystal display; phase type liquid crystal spatial light modulators mainly modulate the phase distribution of incident light. Theoretically, pure phase liquid crystal spatial light modulators have no loss of light intensity, which is of great significance for long-distance transmission and reducing light loss, and are widely used in wavefront correction systems. In the process of wavefront control, phase information often contains more valuable components than amplitude information. Pure phase modulation controls the phase information within the range of 0-2π. In the field of optical information processing, real-time control of pure phase wavefront can simplify work, meet special requirements, and can be flexibly designed according to actual needs.

[0005] Due to the limitation that its liquid crystal unit is not extreme enough, the spatial light modulator has a large delay, slow display and low reliability; the driving voltage is high and the power consumption required is large; the adaptable temperature range is small. At lower or higher temperatures, the modulation ability of the liquid crystal unit will become weak, which greatly affects the user experience.

[0006] Research shows that a liquid crystal display device with small delay and low power consumption, especially in a spatial light modulator, requires the response time of the liquid crystal material, which is related to the viscosity, dielectric, LCD driving voltage, and thickness of the liquid crystal layer:

[0007] On time T on :T on =C1η / (εΔεV 2 -Kπ 2 / d 2 );

[0008] Off time T off :T off =C2ηd 2 / Kπ 2 ;

[0009] Among them, C1 and C2 are constants, △ε is the dielectric anisotropy value of the liquid crystal, η is the viscosity, and d is the thickness of the liquid crystal layer; it can be seen that liquid crystals with low viscosity have faster response times. In addition, reducing the thickness of the liquid crystal layer can also speed up the response time. The delay amount △n×d is a constant value, and a smaller liquid crystal layer thickness d is required, which requires the liquid crystal to have a larger refractive index anisotropy △n.

[0010] A liquid crystal display element containing a liquid crystal composition having a large absolute value of dielectric anisotropy can reduce the base voltage value, reduce the driving voltage, and further reduce the power consumption, but a large absolute value of dielectric anisotropy will make the liquid crystal have a higher viscosity and poorer stability.

[0011] Liquid crystal display elements containing liquid crystal compositions with lower threshold voltages can effectively reduce display power consumption, especially in consumables, such as mobile phones, tablet computers and other portable electronic products, which have longer battery life. However, liquid crystal compositions with lower threshold voltages (generally containing large dielectric polar groups) have low molecular order, and K, which reflects the order of liquid crystal molecules, is ave The value will also decrease, thus affecting the light leakage and contrast of the liquid crystal material, and it is usually difficult to take both into account.

[0012] Liquid crystal compositions with low viscosity can increase the response speed of liquid crystal display elements. When the response speed of liquid crystal display elements is fast, they can be used for animation display. In addition, when the liquid crystal composition is injected into the liquid crystal box of the liquid crystal display element, the injection time can be shortened, which can improve the workability. The rotational viscosity γ1 directly affects the response time of the liquid crystal after power is applied, and the rise time (τ on ) and fall time (τ off ) are proportional to the rotational viscosity γ1 of the liquid crystal, and the rise time (τ on) is related to the liquid crystal cell and the driving voltage, and can be adjusted by increasing the driving voltage and reducing the thickness of the liquid crystal cell; while the fall time (τ off ) has nothing to do with the driving voltage, but is mainly related to the elastic constant of the liquid crystal and the thickness of the liquid crystal box. The thinner the cell thickness, the shorter the fall time (τ off ), and the movement of liquid crystal molecules is different in different display modes. The three modes of TN, IPS, and VA are inversely proportional to the average elastic constant K, the torsion elastic constant, and the bending elastic constant, respectively.

[0013] CN102858918A and other prior arts disclose liquid crystal compositions with lower power consumption and faster response, but the liquid crystal compositions of the prior art have environmental problems (such as the use of chlorine-containing compounds), short service life (such as poor UV or thermal stability), low contrast (such as whitening of the display screen under sunlight), etc., and cannot take into account the performance balance problem of appropriate optical anisotropy, appropriate dielectric anisotropy, high voltage holding rate, UV resistance and high temperature stability required in different devices, and cannot meet various indicators at the same time. From the perspective of the preparation of liquid crystal materials, the various properties of liquid crystal materials are mutually restrained and affected, and the improvement of a certain performance indicator may cause changes in other properties. Therefore, the preparation of liquid crystal materials with suitable performance in all aspects often requires creative labor.

[0014] Liquid crystal materials are an important component of liquid crystal displays. Currently, there is a huge market demand for liquid crystal displays worldwide. They are mostly used in electronic and electrical products, but their life cycle is short. A short life cycle naturally leads to problems such as waste pollution. In today's society, where green environmental protection issues are increasingly receiving attention from all walks of life, if we can control it from the source, that is, choose environmentally friendly green materials in the modulation process of liquid crystal materials, we can greatly reduce the environmental cost of processing discarded liquid crystal displays. Therefore, it is very difficult to prepare liquid crystal materials that have suitable performance in all aspects, are economical, and are green and environmentally friendly. Especially in spatial light modulator applications, the demand for the stable range of the liquid crystal nematic phase and a lower driving voltage is more obvious.

[0015] Based on this, the art urgently needs to develop liquid crystal materials with lower driving voltage, smaller delay, wider liquid crystal nematic phase stability range, better optical anisotropy and dielectric anisotropy, and green environmental protection to meet the performance requirements of spatial light modulators. Summary of the invention

[0016] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition and a spatial light modulator containing the same. The liquid crystal composition, on the basis of having good dielectric anisotropy, also has lower viscosity, greater optical anisotropy, better low-temperature miscibility, lower delay, and lower driving voltage, so that the spatial light modulator containing the same has low driving voltage and power consumption, low dielectric loss, a wide temperature range, strong light modulation capability, and high reliability.

[0017] In order to achieve the purpose of the invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0018] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a liquid crystal composition, comprising:

[0019] At least one compound of formula I:

[0020] as well as

[0021] At least one compound of formula II:

[0022]

[0023] Wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a straight chain or branched alkyl group containing 1-10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) carbon atoms, and one or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the straight chain or branched alkyl group containing 1-10 carbon atoms can be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-.

[0024] X1, X2, X3 and X4 each independently represent halogen, -CH3 or -C2H5.

[0025] Z1 represents a single bond, -C≡C-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -CH2CH2- or -CF2CF2-.

[0026] n represents an integer of 1-3, for example, 1, 2 or 3; when n represents 2 or 3, Z1 is the same or different, Same or different.

[0027] m, p, r and s each independently represent an integer of 0-4, for example, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.

[0028] When m represents 2, 3 or 4, X1 is the same or different; when p represents 2, 3 or 4, X2 is the same or different; when r represents 2, 3 or 4, X3 is the same or different; when s represents 2, 3 or 4, X4 is the same or different.

[0029] In the present invention, “may be independently replaced by…” means that it may be replaced or not replaced, that is, replacement or not replacement falls within the protection scope of the present invention; the same applies to “may be independently replaced by…”; moreover, the positions of “replacement” and “replacement” are arbitrary.

[0030] In the present invention, the short straight lines on one or both sides of a group represent access bonds, not methyl groups; for example Short straight lines on both sides.

[0031] In the present invention, the halogen includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, etc.; when the same description is mentioned below, they have the same meaning.

[0032] The liquid crystal composition provided by the present invention is a positive liquid crystal composition. The mutual synergy of the compound of formula I and the compound of formula II enables the liquid crystal composition to have a higher dielectric constant, a larger refractive index, a lower flow viscosity, better low-temperature miscibility, a larger optical anisotropy, a smaller delay amount, a lower driving voltage, and a higher VHR (UV, voltage holding rate after UV light irradiation). The liquid crystal composition is suitable for use in liquid crystal display devices with high requirements for delay amount and high optical anisotropy, and is particularly suitable for use in spatial light modulators, so that the driving voltage and energy consumption of the spatial light modulator are lower, the dielectric loss is small, the temperature range of adaptation is wide, the light modulation ability is strong, the picture display is sensitive, the reliability is high, and it is more economical and environmentally friendly.

[0033] In a preferred technical solution, m and p each independently represent 0, 1 or 2.

[0034] In a preferred technical solution, X1 and X2 each independently represent -F or -CH3.

[0035] In a preferred technical solution, Z1 represents a single bond or -C≡C-.

[0036] In a preferred technical solution, the compound of formula I is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds:

[0037] as well as

[0038] In a preferred technical embodiment, R1 represents a straight chain or branched alkyl group containing 1-10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) carbon atoms, a straight chain or branched alkenyl group containing 2-10 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) carbon atoms, or a straight chain or branched alkoxy group containing 1-9 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) carbon atoms.

[0039] In a preferred technical embodiment, R1 represents a straight-chain alkyl group containing 1-8 (eg, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) carbon atoms.

[0040] In a preferred technical solution, in order to obtain greater optical anisotropy, lower viscosity, better low-temperature miscibility, lower driving voltage and smaller delay, the liquid crystal composition contains at least one compound of formula I in which Z1 represents a single bond and / or at least one compound of formula I in which Z1 represents -C≡C-.

[0041] In a preferred technical solution, in order to obtain greater optical anisotropy, lower viscosity, better low-temperature miscibility, lower driving voltage and smaller delay, the liquid crystal composition contains at least one compound of formula I-1 and / or at least one compound of formula I-4.

[0042] In a preferred technical solution, in order to obtain greater optical anisotropy, lower viscosity, better low-temperature miscibility, lower driving voltage and smaller delay, the liquid crystal composition contains at least one compound of formula I-2 and / or at least one compound of formula I-8.

[0043] In a preferred technical solution, X3 and X4 each independently represent -F or -CH3.

[0044] In a preferred technical solution, r and s each independently represent 0, 1 or 2.

[0045] In a preferred technical solution, the compound of formula II is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds:

[0046] as well as

[0047]

[0048] In a preferred technical embodiment, R2 and R3 each independently represent a straight chain or branched alkyl group containing 1-10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) carbon atoms, a straight chain or branched alkenyl group containing 2-10 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) carbon atoms, or a straight chain or branched alkoxy group containing 1-9 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) carbon atoms.

[0049] In a preferred technical solution, R2 and R3 each independently represent a straight-chain alkyl group containing 1-8 (eg, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) carbon atoms.

[0050] In a preferred technical solution, in order to obtain greater optical anisotropy, lower viscosity, better low-temperature miscibility, lower driving voltage, smaller delay, and higher VHR (UV), the liquid crystal composition contains at least one compound of formula II-1 and / or at least one compound of formula II-2.

[0051] In a preferred technical solution, the content of the compound of formula I is adjusted so that the liquid crystal composition containing it has a larger refractive index and optical anisotropy, a larger dielectric constant, a smaller viscosity, a lower delay amount, a smaller driving voltage, and better low-temperature miscibility.

[0052] In a preferred technical solution, the mass percentage of the compound of formula I in the liquid crystal composition is 0.1-90%, for example, it can be 0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90%, as well as specific point values ​​between the above point values. Due to space limitations and for the sake of simplicity, the present invention no longer exhaustively lists the specific point values ​​included in the range, and it is further preferably 20-90%.

[0053] In a preferred technical solution, the content of the compound of formula II is adjusted so that the liquid crystal composition containing it has a larger refractive index and optical anisotropy, a larger dielectric constant, a smaller viscosity, a lower delay, a smaller driving voltage, and better low-temperature miscibility.

[0054] In a preferred technical solution, the mass percentage of the compound of formula II in the liquid crystal composition is 0.1-50%, for example, it can be 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.8%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 25%, 28%, 30%, 32%, 35%, 38%, 40%, 42%, 45% or 48%, as well as specific point values ​​between the above point values. Due to space limitations and for the sake of simplicity, the present invention no longer exhaustively lists the specific point values ​​included in the said range.

[0055] In a preferred technical solution, the liquid crystal composition further comprises at least one compound of formula M:

[0056]

[0057] Among them, R M1 and R M2 Each independently represents a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing 1 to 12 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) carbon atoms, One or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- groups in the straight-chain or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms can be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-.

[0058] ring ring and ring Each independently expresses Said One or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the ring may be replaced by -O-, and one or at least two single bonds in the ring may be replaced by double bonds; In one or at least two of the rings -CH= may be replaced by -N= and at most one -H may be replaced by halogen.

[0059] Z M1 and Z M2 Each independently represents a single bond, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -CH2CH2- or -(CH2)4-.

[0060] n M Represents 0, 1, or 2.

[0061] When n M When it indicates 2, the ring Same or different, Z M2 Same or different, and Z M2Not at the same time, it is -C≡C-.

[0062] In a preferred technical solution, the compound of formula M is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds:

[0063]

[0064]

[0065]

[0066] as well as

[0067] In a preferred technical scheme, the compound of formula M includes any one or a combination of at least two of the compounds of formula M-1, M-2, M-6, M-10, M-12, M-16, M-19, M-21, M-25, M-28, M-30, M-31 or M-32.

[0068] In a preferred technical solution, the R M1 and R M2 Each independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group containing 1-8 (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) carbon atoms, a straight-chain alkoxy group containing 1-8 (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) carbon atoms, or a straight-chain alkenyl group containing 2-8 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) carbon atoms.

[0069] In a preferred technical solution, the content of the compound of formula M is adjusted so that the liquid crystal composition containing it has better low-temperature miscibility, greater optical anisotropy, greater dielectric constant, smaller viscosity, lower retardation, and smaller driving voltage.

[0070] In a preferred technical solution, the mass percentage of the compound of formula M in the liquid crystal composition is 0.1-40%, for example, it can be 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.8%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 25%, 28%, 30%, 32%, 35% or 38%, as well as specific point values ​​between the above point values. Due to space limitations and for the sake of simplicity, the present invention no longer exhaustively lists the specific point values ​​included in the said range.

[0071] In a preferred technical solution, the liquid crystal composition further comprises at least one compound of formula A-1 and / or formula A-2:

[0072]

[0073] Among them, R A1 and R A2 Each independently represents a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing 1 to 12 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) carbon atoms, One or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the straight-chain or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms can be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-; one or at least two -H in the aforementioned groups can be independently replaced by -F or -Cl.

[0074] ring ring ring and ring Each independently expresses Said One or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the ring may be replaced by -O-, and one or at least two single bonds in the ring may be replaced by double bonds; In one or at least two rings of the -CH= may be replaced by -N=; in the aforementioned groups, one or at least two -H may be replaced by -F, -Cl or -CN.

[0075] Z A11 , Z A21 and Z A22 Each independently represents a single bond, -CH2CH2-, -CF2CF2-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -CH2O- or -OCH2-.

[0076] L A11 , L A12 , L A13 , L A21 and L A22 Each independently represents -H, halogen, or an unsubstituted or halogenated straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 3 (eg, 1, 2 or 3) carbon atoms.

[0077] X A1 and X A2Each independently represents halogen, -CN, a haloalkyl group containing 1-5 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) carbon atoms, a haloalkoxy group containing 1-5 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) carbon atoms, a haloalkenyl group containing 2-5 (e.g., 2, 3, 4 or 5) carbon atoms, or a haloalkenyloxy group containing 2-5 (e.g., 2, 3, 4 or 5) carbon atoms.

[0078] n A11 and n A2 Each independently represents 0, 1, 2 or 3; when n A11 When it means 2 or 3, the ring Same or different, Z A11 Same or different; when n A2 When it means 2 or 3, the ring Same or different, Z A21 Same or different.

[0079] n A12 Indicates 1 or 2; when n A12 When it indicates 2, the ring Same or different.

[0080] In a preferred technical solution, the compound of formula A-1 is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds:

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] as well as

[0084] Among them, R A1 It represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl group containing 1-8 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) carbon atoms; one or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- groups in the straight-chain or branched alkyl group containing 1-8 carbon atoms can be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-; one or at least two -H in the aforementioned group can be independently replaced by -F or -Cl.

[0085] R v and R w Each independently represents -CH2- or -O-.

[0086] L A11 , L A12 , L A11', L A12 ', L A14 , L A15 and L A16 Each independently represents -H or -F.

[0087] L A13 and L A13 ' each independently represents -H or -CH3.

[0088] X A1 It represents -F, -CF3 or -OCF3.

[0089] v and w each independently represent 0 or 1.

[0090] In a preferred technical solution, the compound of formula A-2 is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds:

[0091]

[0092]

[0093] as well as

[0094] Among them, R A2 It represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl group containing 1-8 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) carbon atoms; one or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- groups in the straight-chain or branched alkyl group containing 1-8 carbon atoms can be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-; one or at least two -H in the aforementioned group can be independently replaced by -F or -Cl.

[0095] L A21 , L A22 , L A23 , L A24 and L A25 Each independently represents -H or -F.

[0096] X A2 It represents -F, -CN, -CF3, -OCF3 or -CH2CH2CH=CF2.

[0097] In a preferred technical solution, the compound of formula A-2 includes any one of the compounds of formula A-2-3, the compounds of formula A-2-4 or the compounds of formula A-2-10, or a combination of at least two thereof.

[0098] In a preferred technical solution, the content of the compound of formula A-1 is adjusted so that the liquid crystal composition containing the compound has a larger dielectric anisotropy, a longer low-temperature storage time, and a lower flow viscosity.

[0099] In a preferred technical solution, the mass percentage of the compound of formula A-1 in the liquid crystal composition is 0.1-30%, for example, it can be 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.8%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 25% or 28%, as well as specific point values ​​between the above point values. Due to space limitations and for the sake of simplicity, the present invention no longer exhaustively lists the specific point values ​​included in the range.

[0100] In a preferred technical solution, the content of the compound of formula A-2 is adjusted so that the liquid crystal composition containing it has a larger dielectric anisotropy, a longer low-temperature storage time, and a lower flow viscosity.

[0101] In a preferred technical solution, the mass percentage of the compound of formula A-2 in the liquid crystal composition is 0.1-30%, for example, it can be 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.8%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 25% or 28%, as well as specific point values ​​between the above point values. Due to space limitations and for the sake of simplicity, the present invention no longer exhaustively lists the specific point values ​​included in the range.

[0102] In addition to the above compounds, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention may also contain common nematic liquid crystals, smectic liquid crystals, cholesteric liquid crystals, polymerizable monomers or additives.

[0103] In a preferred technical solution, the liquid crystal composition further includes at least one additive.

[0104] In a preferred technical solution, the additive includes any one of a dopant, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, an infrared absorber or a light stabilizer, or a combination of at least two thereof.

[0105] Possible dopants which are preferably added to the liquid crystal composition of the present invention are shown below:

[0106]

[0107] as well as

[0108] In some embodiments of the present invention, the weight percentage of the dopant in the liquid crystal composition is 0%-5%; preferably, the weight percentage of the dopant in the liquid crystal composition is 0.01%-1%.

[0109] In addition, the antioxidants, light stabilizers and other additives used in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention are preferably the following:

[0110]

[0111]

[0112]

[0113] Here, n represents a positive integer from 1 to 12.

[0114] Preferably, the light stabilizer is selected from the light stabilizers shown below:

[0115]

[0116] In some embodiments of the present invention, the light stabilizer accounts for 0%-5% of the total weight of the liquid crystal composition; preferably, the light stabilizer accounts for 0.01%-1% of the total weight of the liquid crystal composition; more preferably, the light stabilizer accounts for 0.01%-0.1% of the total weight of the liquid crystal composition.

[0117] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising a substrate provided with a circuit and a light modulation element, wherein the light modulation element comprises a liquid crystal layer, and a material of the liquid crystal layer comprises the liquid crystal composition as described in the first aspect.

[0118] In a preferred technical solution, the substrate includes a single crystal silicon substrate.

[0119] In a preferred technical solution, the light modulation element includes an aluminum electrode layer, a first alignment layer, a liquid crystal layer, a second alignment layer, a transparent electrode and a transparent layer arranged in sequence; the aluminum electrode layer is arranged on a side close to the substrate.

[0120] Exemplarily, the structural diagram of the spatial light modulator is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes a substrate 10 with a circuit (the circuit is arranged in the substrate, Figure 1 The light modulator 20 comprises an aluminum electrode layer 21, a first orientation layer 22, a liquid crystal layer 23, a second orientation layer 24, a transparent electrode 25 and a transparent layer 26 which are arranged in sequence; wherein the liquid crystal layer 23 comprises the liquid crystal composition as described in the first aspect.

[0121] In a preferred technical solution, the aluminum electrode layer 21 includes an array of aluminum electrode units 211 , and any two adjacent aluminum electrode units 211 are separated by a gap 212 .

[0122] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0123] In the liquid crystal composition provided by the present invention, through the mutual cooperation of liquid crystal components, the liquid crystal composition has higher dielectric anisotropy, greater refractive index and optical anisotropy, lower flow viscosity, better low-temperature miscibility, smaller delay amount and lower driving voltage under the premise of suitable clearing point, and is suitable for use in liquid crystal display devices with high requirements for delay amount and high optical anisotropy, especially suitable for spatial light modulators, so that the driving voltage and energy consumption of the spatial light modulator are lower, the dielectric loss is small, the temperature range of adaptation is wide, the light modulation ability is strong, the picture display is sensitive, the reliability is high, and it is more economical and environmentally friendly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0124] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a spatial light modulator provided by the present invention;

[0125] Among them, 10-a substrate 10 with a circuit, 20-a light modulation element, 21-an aluminum electrode layer, 211-an aluminum electrode unit, 212-a gap, 22-a first orientation layer, 23-a liquid crystal layer, 24-a second orientation layer, 25-a transparent electrode, and 26-a transparent layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0126] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below by specific implementation methods. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments are only to help understand the present invention and should not be regarded as specific limitations of the present invention.

[0127] For ease of expression, in the following embodiments and comparative examples, the group structures of the components in the liquid crystal composition are represented by the codes listed in Table 1:

[0128] Table 1

[0129]

[0130]

[0131] Take the following compound as an example:

[0132] The structural formula is represented by the codes listed in Table 1, which can be expressed as: nPTGUNCS; wherein P represents 1,4-phenylene, T represents ethynyl, G represents 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, U represents 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene, NCS represents isothiocyanate, and n represents the number of carbon atoms of the left-end alkyl group. For example, if n is "2", it means that the alkyl group is ethyl.

[0133] The abbreviations of the test items in the following examples and comparative examples are as follows:

[0134] Cp clearing point (nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature, °C)

[0135] Δn optical anisotropy (589nm, 25℃)

[0136] Δε Dielectric anisotropy (1kHz, 25℃)

[0137] Tc Low temperature storage phase transition point (i.e. nematic phase lower limit temperature, °C)

[0138] η Flow viscosity (mm 2 ·s -1 , 25℃)

[0139] Vth driving voltage (V, 25℃)

[0140] γ Delay (ms, 25℃)

[0141] VHR(UV) Voltage holding ratio after UV light irradiation (%, 25°C)

[0142] in,

[0143] Cp: ​​measured by MP70 melting point apparatus;

[0144] Δn: measured using an Abbe refractometer under a sodium lamp (589nm) at 25°C;

[0145] Δε:Δε=ε ∥ -ε ⊥ , where ε ∥ is the dielectric constant parallel to the molecular axis, ε ⊥ is the dielectric constant perpendicular to the molecular axis, test conditions: 25°C, 1kHz, test box is TN type, box thickness is 7μm;

[0146] Tc: Place the liquid crystal with nematic phase in a glass bottle and store it in a refrigerator at 0℃, -10℃, -20℃, -25℃, -30℃, -35℃, and -40℃, and then observe the low temperature conditions for 10 days; for example, when the sample is in nematic phase at -20℃ and becomes crystalline or smectic at -25℃, Tc < -20℃; when the sample becomes crystalline or smectic at -10℃, Tc > 10℃;

[0147] η: measured using a Brookfield plate viscometer at a temperature of 25°C;

[0148] Vth: obtained by testing with DMS505 tester, test conditions: TN liquid crystal cell, cell thickness 7μm, test frequency 60Hz, test waveform is square;

[0149] γ: measured using the DMS 505 LCD optical measurement system, test conditions: TN test box, 25°C, box thickness 7.0μm;

[0150] VHR (UV): Tested using TOY06254 liquid crystal property evaluation system; wavelength 365nm, energy 6000mJ / cm 2 The test was conducted after the liquid crystal was irradiated with light, the test temperature was 65°C, the test voltage was 5V, and the test frequency was 6Hz.

[0151] The compounds used in the following examples can be synthesized by known methods or obtained through commercial channels. These synthesis techniques are conventional, and the obtained liquid crystal compositions meet the standards of electronic compounds after testing.

[0152] Liquid crystal compositions are prepared according to the proportions of the liquid crystal compositions in the following examples. The preparation of the liquid crystal compositions is carried out according to conventional methods in the art, such as mixing in a prescribed proportion by heating, ultrasonic waves, suspension, etc.

[0153] Example 1

[0154] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 2:

[0155] Table 2

[0156]

[0157] This embodiment also provides a spatial light modulator, the structural diagram of which is shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, it includes a substrate 10 with a circuit (the circuit is arranged in the substrate, Figure 1The optical modulation element 20 includes an aluminum electrode layer 21, a first orientation layer 22, a liquid crystal layer 23, a second orientation layer 24, a transparent electrode 25 and a transparent layer 26 arranged in sequence, the aluminum electrode layer 21 includes an array composed of aluminum electrode units 211, and any two adjacent aluminum electrode units 211 are separated by a gap 212; the material of the liquid crystal layer 23 is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0158] Comparative Example 1

[0159] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 3:

[0160] Table 3

[0161]

[0162] This comparative example also provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Example 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this comparative example.

[0163] Comparative Example 2

[0164] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 4:

[0165] Table 4

[0166]

[0167]

[0168] This comparative example also provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Example 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this comparative example.

[0169] Comparative Example 3

[0170] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 5:

[0171] Table 5

[0172]

[0173] This comparative example also provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Example 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this comparative example.

[0174] From the comparison between Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-3, it can be seen that the liquid crystal composition of the present invention has higher dielectric anisotropy, lower driving voltage, smaller delay, lower flow viscosity and better low-temperature storage phase transition point while maintaining appropriate optical anisotropy, appropriate clearing point and appropriate VHR (UV), so that the spatial light modulation device containing the liquid crystal composition has a wider temperature use range, faster response speed and lower energy consumption.

[0175] Example 2

[0176] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 6:

[0177] Table 6

[0178]

[0179]

[0180] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0181] Example 3

[0182] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 7:

[0183] Table 7

[0184]

[0185] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0186] Example 4

[0187] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 8:

[0188] Table 8

[0189]

[0190]

[0191] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0192] Example 5

[0193] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 9:

[0194] Table 9

[0195]

[0196] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0197] Example 6

[0198] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 10:

[0199] Table 10

[0200]

[0201]

[0202] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0203] Example 7

[0204] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 11:

[0205] Table 11

[0206]

[0207] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0208] Example 8

[0209] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 12:

[0210] Table 12

[0211]

[0212]

[0213] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0214] Example 9

[0215] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 13:

[0216] Table 13

[0217]

[0218] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0219] Example 10

[0220] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 14:

[0221] Table 14

[0222]

[0223]

[0224] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0225] Embodiment 11

[0226] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 15:

[0227] Table 15

[0228]

[0229] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0230] Example 12

[0231] A liquid crystal composition, the components and performance parameters are shown in Table 16:

[0232] Table 16

[0233]

[0234] This embodiment further provides a spatial light modulator, which is different from the spatial light modulator in Embodiment 1 only in that the material of the liquid crystal layer is the liquid crystal composition provided in this embodiment.

[0235] In combination with the above embodiments and their performance tests, it can be seen that in the liquid crystal composition provided by the present invention, the liquid crystal components cooperate with each other to make the liquid crystal composition have a suitable clearing point, Cp of 105-126°C, a suitable optical anisotropy, Δn of 0.34-0.42, a suitable VHR (UV), VHR (UV) of 96.33-97.11, a higher dielectric anisotropy, Δε of 8.5-15.8, and a lower flow viscosity, η of 23-41 mm 2 / s, a smaller low-temperature storage phase transition point, can be stably stored at low temperatures of -25°C to -35°C for more than 10 days, with a smaller delay, γ of 6.5-9.3ms, low driving voltage, and Vth as low as 1.32-2.1V. The liquid crystal composition is suitable for use in liquid crystal display devices with high requirements on temperature range, response speed, and power consumption, and is particularly suitable for use in spatial light modulators, so that the driving voltage and energy consumption of the spatial light modulator are lower, the dielectric loss is small, the temperature range is wide, the light modulation ability is strong, the picture display is sensitive, the reliability is high, and it is more economical and environmentally friendly.

[0236] The applicant declares that the present invention uses the above embodiments to illustrate a liquid crystal composition and a spatial light modulator containing the same, but the present invention is not limited to the above process steps, that is, it does not mean that the present invention must rely on the above process steps to be implemented. Those skilled in the art should understand that any improvement of the present invention, equivalent replacement of the raw materials selected by the present invention, addition of auxiliary components, selection of specific methods, etc., all fall within the protection scope and disclosure scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal composition for a spatial light modulator, characterized in that: The liquid crystal composition comprises: At least one compound of formula I, which consists of at least one compound of formula I-2 and / or at least one compound of formula I-8: as well as at least one compound of formula II, The compound of formula II comprises at least one compound of formula II-1 and / or at least one compound of formula II-2: At least one compound of formula M, wherein the compound of formula M is selected from the group consisting of compounds of M-1, M-2, M-10, M-12, M-16, M-19, M-21, M-25, M-28, M-30, M-31, M-32: Wherein, R1 represents a straight chain alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms can be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-; X3 and X4 each independently represent halogen, -CH3 or -C2H5; R M1 and R M2 Each independently represents a straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, One or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms can be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-; r and s each independently represent an integer of 0-4; when r represents 2, 3 or 4, X3 is the same or different; when s represents 2, 3 or 4, X4 is the same or different; In the liquid crystal composition, the mass percentage of the compound of formula I is 5-30%, the mass percentage of the compound of formula II is 15-50%, and the mass percentage of the compound of formula M is 5-40%.

2. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid crystal composition further comprises a group consisting of the following compounds: as well as R1 represents a straight-chain alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

3. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The compound of formula II also includes the group consisting of the following compounds: as well as 4. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid crystal composition further comprises at least one compound of formula A-1 and / or formula A-2: Among them, R A1 and R A2 Each independently represents a straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, One or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms can be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-; one or at least two -H in the aforementioned group can be independently replaced by -F or -Cl; ring ring ring and ring Each independently expresses Said One or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the ring may be replaced by -O-, and one or at least two single bonds in the ring may be replaced by double bonds; -CH= in one or at least two rings may be replaced by -N=; one or at least two -H in the aforementioned groups may be replaced by -F, -Cl or -CN; Z A11 , Z A21 and Z A22 Each independently represents a single bond, -CH2CH2-, -CF2CF2-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -CH2O- or -OCH2-; L A11 , L A12 , L A13 , L A21 and L A22 Each independently represents -H, halogen, unsubstituted or halogenated straight-chain alkyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; X A1 and X A2 Each independently represents halogen, -CN, a haloalkyl group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a haloalkoxy group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a haloalkenyl group containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms, or a haloalkenyloxy group containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms; n A11 and n A2 Each independently represents 0, 1, 2 or 3; when n A11 When it means 2 or 3, the ring Same or different, Z A11 Same or different; when n A2 When it means 2 or 3, the ring Same or different, Z A21 Same or different; n A12 Indicates 1 or 2; when n A12 When it indicates 2, the ring Same or different.

5. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 4, characterized in that: The compound of formula A-1 is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds: as well as Among them, R A1 represents a straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; one or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms may be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-; one or at least two -H in the aforementioned group may be independently replaced by -F or -Cl; R v and R w Each independently represents -CH2- or -O-; L A11 , L A12 , L A11 ', L A12 ', L A14 , L A15 and L A16 Each independently represents -H or -F; L A13 and L A13 'Each independently represents -H or -CH3; X A1 represents -F, -CF3 or -OCF3; v and w each independently represent 0 or 1.

6. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 4, characterized in that: The compound of formula A-2 is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds: as well as Among them, R A2 represents a straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; one or at least two non-adjacent -CH2- in the straight or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms may be independently replaced by -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O- or -O-CO-; one or at least two -H in the aforementioned group may be independently replaced by -F or -Cl; L A21 , L A22 , L A23 , L A24 and L A25 Each independently represents -H or -F; X A2 It represents -F, -CN, -CF3, -OCF3 or -CH2CH2CH=CF2.

7. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mass percentage of the compound of formula A-1 in the liquid crystal composition is 0.1-30%.

8. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mass percentage of the compound of formula A-2 in the liquid crystal composition is 0.1-30%.

9. A spatial light modulator, characterized in that: The spatial light modulator includes a substrate provided with a circuit and a light modulation element. The light modulation element includes a liquid crystal layer. The material of the liquid crystal layer includes the liquid crystal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The spatial light modulator according to claim 9, characterized in that: The substrate includes a single crystal silicon substrate.

11. The spatial light modulator according to claim 9, characterized in that The light modulation element comprises an aluminum electrode layer, a first alignment layer, a liquid crystal layer, a second alignment layer, a transparent electrode layer and a transparent layer which are arranged in sequence; the aluminum electrode layer is arranged on a side close to the substrate.

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