[Paper] Formation of Microscopic Polymer Structure in LCs by Patterned UV Irradiation using Polymerization Inhibitor

Abstract

We controlled the fine-pitch polymer aggregation in liquid crystals (LCs) two-dimensionally via patterned ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, where a photomask was used to precisely control the light distribution. The combination of high-intensity UV light and a polymerization inhibitor suppressed polymerization in the masked area, and improved the uniformity of LC alignment between fine-pitch polymer structures. We were able to electrically control the diffraction patterns of polymer-dispersed LCs.