Paper No 16.2: New Process for Patterned Retarder Fabrication

Abstract

We report novel technique to fabricate patterned retarder films on the basis of reactive mesogen materials (RMM). The comparison of RMM‐patterned retarders fabricated via our innovative high‐anchoring‐patterned rubbing and standard contactless photoalignment techniques of the same B15 alignment material developed by us is presented.

Orthogonal Liquid Crystal Alignment Layer: Templating Speed-Dependent Orientation of Chromonic Liquid Crystals

“…Although the photoalignment process can be used to achieve the multidirectional alignment, it often produces thermally and temporarily unstable LC molecular orientation with weak surface anchoring. 28,30 In the present work, we report the formation of an orthogonally patterned alignment layer by adjusting the pulling speed of the top substrate in the shear flow induced method to control the orientation of LCLCs (Figure 1a and b). Microand nanostructures fabricated using this method were thoroughly investigated using various characterization techniques, including polarized optical microscopy (POM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), spectroscopy, and grazing incident Xray diffraction (GIXD).…”

“…Basically, the multidirectional alignment layer is very much required in many applications, such as the patterned retarder for 3D displays, , transflective LCDs, tunable gratings for projection displays, − optical interconnection devices, and the hybrid alignment layers for polarization converters. , It is well-known that general rubbing methods to fabricate the alignment layer cannot produce multidirectionally aligned patterns. Although the photoalignment process can be used to achieve the multidirectional alignment, it often produces thermally and temporarily unstable LC molecular orientation with weak surface anchoring. , …”

“…Recently, a dramatic improvement was seen in the control of aligned DNA, in which the DNA form periodic zigzag patterns, which resulted from the competitive interaction between DNA elasticity and dilative stress during water evaporation. 26 Basically, the multidirectional alignment layer is very much required in many applications, such as the patterned retarder for 3D displays, 27,28 transflective LCDs, 29 tunable gratings for projection displays, 30−33 optical interconnection devices, 32 and the hybrid alignment layers for polarization converters. 34,35 It is well-known that general rubbing methods to fabricate the alignment layer cannot produce multidirectionally aligned patterns.…”

Molecular Ordering Behavior of Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystals on a Polyimide Alignment Layer

“…LCLC thin films can be polarized by aligning LC molecules to a certain direction using a simple coating technique such as bar, slit, or blade coating on a substrate . Researchers have studied a variety of LCLC alignment methods such as rubbing, − photoalignment, − and template guides − to improve LC molecular ordering. For example, a nano-patterned alignment layer of indium tin oxide on a glass substrate can assist in LC molecule alignment .…”

P‐115: New Photoalignment Material: Azimuthal Anchoring Energy Decreases at Very High Photo‐Induced Order Parameters

“…The pitch is subject to the size of the black masking area covering the FPR disclination lines (typical width ~18 μm) between two zones with perpendicular PLC alignment [4]. Various techniques to decrease the FPR disclination width have been attempts to conclude the major limiting factor is the azimuthal anchoring energy of photoalignment material [4,5].…”