34‐1: A Novel Reactive Monomer for Self Vertical Alignment Liquid Crystal Displays

Abstract

Conventionally, the alignment layer like polyimide is necessary for Liquid Crystal (LC) initial alignment. In this study, we have developed a novel reactive monomer (RM) for self vertical alignment (SVA). Doping this SVA RM into LC, we become able to manufacture VA mode Liquid Crystal Display panel without alignment layer. This technology would bring many merits to LCD performance. Also, this technology is very good compatibility with the Polymer Sustained Alignment (PSA) technology, that is widely used for LCD TV application etc. We report our achievement, comparing PSA.

Development of liquid crystal displays and related improvements to their performances

“…20 , the pale gray color represents LC molecules, the blue color represents molecules used in achieving a pretilt angle through rubbing, and the red color represents UV reactive molecules doped and migrated to the surface; this technology is called self-surface alignment, which requires no preliminary rubbing or applied voltage during UV photocuring. 55 , 56 )…”

Electro-optical property of polymerized liquid crystal devices using linearly polarized UV irradiation

“…16) The alignment direction is controlled by the vector direction normal to the boundary between the irradiated and non-irradiated regions and the resultant molecular diffusion. Recently, the usage of a UV-curable RM and LPUV without an alignment layer over the clearing point has been reported for in-plane switching 17,18) and fringe field switching 19,20) with blue phase, 21) ECB, 22,23) or VA. 24,25) The LC molecules were oriented by an alignment layer using LPUV irradiation, a polymer matrix in the vicinity of the alignment layer, nonpolarized UV irradiation inside the LC layer, or the usage of an RM and LPUV without alignment layer as mentioned above. The films or gels that consisted of RMs, such as azobenzene LC, were controlled by LPUV.…”