• Current Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.185-194
• /
• 2018

Ultra-small optical anisotropy of a rubbed polyimide (PI) alignment layer is quantitatively characterized using the improved reflection ellipsometer. Twisted nematic (TN) cells are fabricated using the rubbed PIs of known surface anisotropy as alignment layers. Distribution of liquid crystal (LC) molecules in the TN cell is characterized using transmission ellipsometry. The retardation of the rubbed PI surface increases as rubbing strength increases. The tilt angle of the optic axis of the rubbed PI surface decreases as rubbing strength especially as the angular speed of the rubbing roller increases. Pretilt angle of LC molecules in the TN cell shows strong correlation with tilt angle of the optic axis of the rubbed PI surface. Both the apparent order parameter and the effective twist angle of the LC molecules in the TN cell decrease as the pretilt angle of LC molecules increases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.136-139
• /
• 2003

We studied the nematic liquid crystal (NLC) aligning capabilities using the new alignment material of a-C:H thin film as working gas at 30W rf bias condition. A high pretilt angle of about $5^{\circ}$ by ion beam(IB) exposure on the a-C:H thin film surface was measured. A good LC alignment by the IB alignment method on the a-C:H thin film surface was observed at annealing temperature of $250^{\circ}C$, and the alignment defect of the NLC was observed above annealing temperature of $300^{\circ}C$. Consequently, the high LC pretilt angle and the good thermal stability of LC alignment by the IB alignment method on the a-C:H thin film surface as working gas at 30W rf bias condition can be achieved.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.303-312
• /
• 2001

The fabrication of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels involves several thermal processes such as imidization of the alignment layer (AL) and annealing of the rubbed polyimide AL. The nature of these processes on the LC alignment, especially on the pretilt angle (Θ$\_$p/) has been systematically studied, employing various types of polyimide structures. The imidization effect depends on the nature of polyimid precursors; Θ$\^$p/ increases with the degree of the imidization for the main-chain type of ALs, due to the decrease in the surface polarity, but this relation is not applicable to the alkylated ones in which the steric effect at the AL surface by the aliphatic side chains is dominant. Annealing of the rubbed polyimide AL deteriorates its rubbing-induced molecular orientation and subsequently the overlying LC alignment, resulting in the decrease in Θ$\_$p/. Especially, annealing of the LC cell affects the LC-AL interaction as well as the AL orientation and thus its effect on LC alignment depends sensitively on the nature of LC-polyimide interface; aromatic moiety in the polyimide structure gives better thermal stability of LC alignment while fluorinated polyimide ALs induce the less stable alignment.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2004.08a
• /
• pp.1177-1177
• /
• 2004

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.46-50
• /
• 2007

We have studied the nematic liquid crystal (NLC) alignment effects on a nitrogen-doped diamond-like carbon (NDLC) thin film layer with ion beam irradiation. The pretilt angle for NLC on the NDLC surface with ion beam exposure was observed below 1 degree. Also, we had the good LC alignment characteristics on the NDLC thin films with ion beam exposure of 1800 eV. In thermal stability experiments, the alignment defect of the NLC on the NDLC surface with ion beam irradiation above annealing temperature of $250^{\circ}C$ can be observed. Therefore, the good thermal stability and LC alignment for NLC by ion beam aligned NDLC thin films can be achieved.

• Journal of Information Display
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2003

Recent progress in both low pretilt and high pretilt defect free C1 surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal (SSFLC) devices is reviewed. First, by numerical calculation to investigate the balance between surface azimuthal anchoring energy and bulk elastic energy within the confined chevron layer geometry of C1 and C2, it is possible to achieve a zigzag free C1 state by low azimuthal anchoring alignment with a low pretilt angle. The critical azimuthal anchoring coefficient for defect free C1 state is calculated. Its relationship with elastic constant, chevron angle as well as surface topography effect are also discussed. Second, using $5^{\circ}$ oblique SiO deposition alignment method a defect free, large memory angle, high contrast ratio and bistable C1 SSFLC display, which has potential for electronic paper applications has also been developed. The electrooptical properties and bistability of this device have been investigated. Various aspects of defect control are also discussed.

• Journal of Information Display
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.27-38
• /
• 2004

We describe dried oriented films with anisotropic structural and optical properties prepared from the aqueous solutions of plank-like molecules, the so-called Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystals (LCLCs). The dried LCLC films may be used as optical elements, such as polarizers, compensators, color filters, or retardation plates in the UV, visible, or infrared parts of spectrums. The optical quality of the films is determined by the uniformity of the molecular alignment, which often distorted by periodic variations of the director field. We describe different ways to improve the alignment properties of the films by using additives. We present compositions capable of polarizing effects in visible and UV parts of spectrum.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.308-313
• /
• 2005

The effects of molecular environments on photoisomerization of an azobenzene group were investigated using In-situ UV/Vis spectroscopy and optical anisotropy measurement technique. The reversible and repeatable photoisomeritation reactions of azobenzene were observed by irradiating the film containing 4-hydroxyazobenzene and by measuring absorption intensities of the characteristic bands of trans and cis isomers simultaneously. When the self-assembled monolayer with azobenzene groups was used as an alignment layer for a liquid crystal cell, the homeotropic alignment was induced due to their compact packing structures of azobenfene groups along the vertical direction of the substrate. By irradiating UV light on this cell, the trans-azobenzene groups change to cis-isomers through the photoisonlerieation and then resulting in the planar alignment of liquid crystal molecules.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.300-300
• /
• 2008

In this study, the advanced DuoPIGatron-type ion beam (IB) system was applied to inorganic thin film for aligning liquid crystal (LC). LC alignment on $Ta_2O_5$ via IB irradiation was embodied. As a result of IB irradiation, the homogeneously aligned liquid crystal display (LCD) on $Ta_2O_5$ was observed with low pretilt angles. The $Ta_2O_5$ were deposited on indium-tin-oxide coated Coming 1737 glass substrates by rf magnetron sputtering at $200^{\circ}C$. The deposition process resulted in forming very uniform thin film on glass substrates without any defects. To confirm the application of the inorganic alignment on modem display optical devices, we fabricated twisted nematic LCD and measured optical property and response time. As a result of the experiment, the electro optical characteristics of the LCD fabricated by using IB irradiation on $Ta_2O_5$ alignment layer were similar with the other LCD fabricated by using rubbing process.

• Journal of IKEEE
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.594-598
• /
• 2019

We demonstrate an alternative alignment process using transferring process on solution driven HfZnO film. Parallel pattern is firstly fabricated on a silicon wafer by laser interference lithography. Prepared HfZnO solution fabricated by sol-gel process is spin-coated on a glass substrate. The silicon wafer with parallel pattern is placed on the HfZnO film and annealed at $100^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. After transferring process, parallel grooves on the HfZnO film is obtained which is confirmed by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Uniform liquid crystal alignment is achieved which is attributed to an anisotropic characteristic of HfZnO film by parallel grooves. The liquid crystal cell exhibited a pretilt angle of $0.25^{\circ}$ which showed a homogeneous alignment property.