Comparative studies of the multiplexability of SSFLC devices with respect to alignment characteristics

Abstract

Several series of Surface-Stabilized Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal (SSFLC) cells were prepared using different aligning techniques (obliquely evaporated SiO,, buffed polyimides and nylon). The surface structure of aligning layers were studied by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The samples were filled with various commercial FLC materials from Merck. BDH and Chisso.Our investigations were focused on the correlation between the aligning layer and the electro-optic characteristics of the SSFLC samples. The strength of the elastic torque is related to the surface conditions and evaluated using a specially designed test waveform. The switching properties and image sticking phenomenon have been studied under real addressing conditions.

Polymer cluster orientation and optical phase retardation of the rubbed polyimide surfaces

“…Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of rubbed polymers show that grooves are presented on the surface. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Recently Zhu et al 11 used AFM to investigate rubbed polymers and found, on a large scale, oriented scratches and microstructure, while on a nanometer scale, oriented polyimide aggregates were visible. However, only one rubbing-strength was used for these experiments.…”