Superior alignment of multi-chromophoric perylenebisimides in nematic liquid crystals and their application in switchable, optical waveguides

Linking monomeric perylenebisimide units to form dimers and trimers dramatically increased alignment in a nematic liquid crystalline host. Connecting units via flexible cross-linkers destroyed alignment: a rigid linker is necessary. Applying the fluorescent trimer dye in a switchable window greatly improved the contrast ratio between the ‘on’ and ‘off’ states of this energy generating device.