Abstract
Presently photo-alignment is a well established technol. for monolithic liq. crystal orientation as well as the formation of multiple liq. crystal domains controlling directionality and pretilt. The paper will discuss some methodologies to enhance photo-alignment of liq. crystals with features such as multi-directional alignment and periodic alignment. Multi-directional alignment is achieved with traditional photosensitive alignment materials such as polymeric cinnamic acid esters or coumarin contg. polymers. These are partly aligned by local exposure with UV light. This dets. the directionality of lateral liq. crystal alignment. The unexposed area, still contg. the unreacted vinyl groups, is exposed to thiol surfactant in the presence of a thermal initiator. The alkyl tails of the thiol provide a homeotropic alignment to the liq. crystal. Micrometer sized periodic structures are achieved by holog. exposure of photo-alignment films with two interfering laser beams. Besides striped alignment profile, also complex squared alignment profiles are obtained by two orthogonal holog. exposures. [on SciFinder (R)]
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 43- |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | PMSE Preprints |
| Volume | 89 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 |