Open AccessPhoto-configurable embossed liquid crystal alignment layer with high azimuthal anchoring strength
Author(s) -
Dongchan Ahn,
YongCheol Jeong,
Moon Gyu Han,
Kuk Young Cho,
Seungsup Lee,
Jung-Ki Park
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.006835
Subject(s) - anchoring , rubbing , liquid crystal , materials science , azimuth , optics , embossing , layer (electronics) , groove (engineering) , fabrication , liquid crystal display , optoelectronics , polymer , viewing angle , nanotechnology , composite material , medicine , physics , alternative medicine , structural engineering , pathology , engineering , metallurgy
Herein we describe a photo-alignment layer of improved azimuthal anchoring energy comparable to conventional rubbing method. In order to address the inherent low anchoring stability of photo-alignment layer, we applied embossing technique to conventional photosensitive polymer film, based on the cinnamoyl photoreactive groups, to introduce physical micro-groove effect for additional anchoring energy. From this, 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ J/m² of azimuthal anchoring energy was achieved, which is considered as synergistic effect from both photoinduced chemical interaction and physical microgroove alignment. In this study, we conducted systematic study on change in anchoring energy as a function of both aspect ratio of embossed pattern and UV exposure dose. We also demonstrated fabrication of sophisticated multi-domain structure of LC cells and discussed theoretical interpretation through LC simulation.