2020 Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Materials Science and Engineering Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
Organic Optical Materials physics
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Ken Ishikawa
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Mon (S8-623)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MAT.P401
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This class deals with the basic knowledge of liquid crystals and optics of birefringent subject to understand the working mechanisms of liquid crystal displays.
(1) Optical constants and optical properties of condensed matter
(2) Birefringent object and polarized light
(3) Liquid crystals
(4) Nematic phase and liquid crystal displays
Course description and aims
Learn liquid crystals widely used in flat panel displays and basic optical concepts to understand the working mechanisms of liquid crystal displays.
Keywords
Liquid crystal, Birefringence, Polarized light
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lecture-base learning
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Optical properties of dielectrics |
Understand the classic theory of dielectric materials and application of the theory to optical properties. |
| Class 2 | Optics of birefringent media |
Understand the light propagation in birefringent media |
| Class 3 | Liquid crystal as intermediate states |
Understand the characteristics of liquid crystal phases. |
| Class 4 | Order parameter of liquid crystal |
Understand the concept of the order parameter using orthogonal function expansion. |
| Class 5 | Phase transition in liquid crystals |
Understand the phenomenological theory of phase transition |
| Class 6 | Physical properties of nematic liquid crystal |
Understand the elasticity of the nematic phase. |
| Class 7 | Liquid crystal displays |
Understand the histry and method of liquid crystal displays. |
| Class 8 | Application of liquid crystals except for displays |
Exercise problems to assess the students’ level will be shown at the end of the class. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Non required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Some Japnese text concerning this lecture will be published on OCW.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students will be assessed on their understanding physical properties of liquid crystals and optics of birefringent materials, and their ability to apply them to solve problems.
Related courses
- MAT.P302 ： Optics
- MAT.P301 ： Solid State Physics (Lattice)
- MAT.P303 ： Solid State Physics (Electrons)
Prerequisites
Have credits of related courses.