Optical Alignment of Liquid Crystal Displays and Devices Via Polarized Light

Abstract

The optical alignment of liquid crystals provides spatial and angular control of the local liquid crystal director.1-3 This is achieved by properly designing photosensitive polymer alignment layers. These photosensitive alignment polymers are illuminated with polarized light which alters the bulk and surface properties of the polymer. The liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the alignment polymer interact with the altered polymer and align accordingly. The long range interaction of the liquid crystal molecules transfers the aligned state at the interface to the bulk of the liquid crystal layer. Since the alignment polymer itself is altered, the liquid crystal remains aligned after the illumination is terminated. With the proper design of the alignment material, the process is reversible allowing for the potential of real-time write/re-write control of the local liquid crystal director.