Processing of alignment layers for glassy liquid crystals

Chrysa M. Theodore; Alison M. Thomas; D. Ernest Havens; Patrick J. Hood; Dimitris Katsis; Shaw H. Chen

doi:10.1117/12.405321

24 October 2000 Processing of alignment layers for glassy liquid crystals

Chrysa M. Theodore, Alison M. Thomas, D. Ernest Havens, Patrick J. Hood, Dimitris Katsis, Shaw H. Chen

Proceedings Volume 4107, Liquid Crystals IV; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.405321
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2000, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper presents the current status of alignment techniques for a new class of liquid crystalline material being developed for both passive optical filtering/polarizing and latching electro-optic applications. This new glassy liquid crystal (GLC) material has the unique property of being electro-optic and fully latching. That is, in one state, the material has the properties of a conventional nematic liquid crystal, capable of being aligned with either an electric or magnetic field; while in its other state, it is an optical quality solid that maintains the molecular alignment set while in the fluid state. Molecular alignment of nematic GLC films is a critical technology necessary to develop high-performance, novel latching devices. The alignment of the nematic pendant component of GLCs directly correlates to the optical contrast, switching speed (turn-on time), and decay speed (turn-off time) of an active latching device. There has been little prior research conducted to assess conventional LC alignment techniques for use with GLCs. The processing and effectiveness of multiple alignment techniques will be discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Chrysa M. Theodore, Alison M. Thomas, D. Ernest Havens, Patrick J. Hood, Dimitris Katsis, and Shaw H. Chen "Processing of alignment layers for glassy liquid crystals", Proc. SPIE 4107, Liquid Crystals IV, (24 October 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.405321

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