Liquid crystal alignment by covalently bound anisotropes
First Claim
1. A method of aligning a liquid crystal medium comprising exposing a polymer surface in contact with the liquid crystal medium to polarized light, said polymer surface having a covalently bound anisotropic component that aligns in response to the polarized light via photo-induced isomerization of the anisotropic component, thereby aligning the liquid crystal medium.
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Abstract
A polymer surface in contact with a liquid crystal medium is exposed to polarized light, whereby a covalently bound anisotropic component of the polymer surface aligns in response to the polarized light. Alignment of the anisotropic component causes alignment of the liquid crystal medium. An interference pattern of two polarized lights causes the covalently bound anisotropic component to form microgrooves on the polymer surface. A liquid crystal cell includes at least one polymer surface that has a covalently bound anisotropic component that can align in response to polarized light and a liquid crystal in contact with the polymer surface.
34 Citations
54 Claims
- 1. A method of aligning a liquid crystal medium comprising exposing a polymer surface in contact with the liquid crystal medium to polarized light, said polymer surface having a covalently bound anisotropic component that aligns in response to the polarized light via photo-induced isomerization of the anisotropic component, thereby aligning the liquid crystal medium.
- 23. A method of aligning a liquid crystal medium comprising exposing a polymer surface in contact with the liquid crystal medium to an interference pattern of two polarized lights, said polymer surface having a covalently bound anisotropic component that aligns to form microgroovespon the polymer surface in response to the interference pattern of the polarized lights, thereby aligning the liquid crystal medium.
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34. A liquid crystal cell comprising:
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a) at least one polymer surface that has a covalently bound anisotropic component that can align in response to polarized light via photo-induced isomerization of the anisotropic component; and b) a liquid crystal medium in contact with said polymer surface. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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- 43. A method of forming a liquid crystal cell comprising filling a cell with a liquid crystal medium, said cell having at least one polymer surface in contact with the liquid crystal medium, said polymer having a covalently bound anisotropic component that can align in response to polarized light via photo-induced isomerization of the anisotropic component, thereby aligning the liquid crystal medium.
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53. A method of aligning a liquid crystal medium in a cell, said cell having at least one polymer surface in contact with the liquid crystal medium, comprising exposing the polymer surface to a polarized light source, said polymer surface having a covalently bound anisotropic component that aligns in response to the polarized light via photo-induced isomerization of the anisotropic component, thereby aligning the liquid crystal medium in the cell.
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54. A method of aligning a liquid crystal medium in a cell, said cell having at least one polymer surface in contact with the liquid crystal medium, comprising exposing the polymer surface to an interference pattern of two polarized lights, said polymer surface having a covalently bound anisotropic component that aligns to form microgrooves on the surface of the polymer in response to the interference pattern of the polarized lights, thereby aligning the liquid crystal medium in the cell.
Specification