# US 2018/0321533 A1 · Liquid crystal alignment layers and method of fabrication > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0321533 A1 - Document ID: US20180321533A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/940,065 - Filed: 2018-03-29 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-15 - Assignees: E-Vision, LLC - Applicants: E-Vision, LLC - Inventors: Anita Trajkovska-Broach; David Boyd; Dan Chambers; Joseph O. Branham - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180321533A1 ## CPC - G02F 1/13378: {by treatment of the surface, e.g. embossing, rubbing or light irradiation (G02F1/133711, G02F1/133734, G02F1/133753 take precedence)} - G02F 1/133753: {with different alignment orientations or pretilt angles on a same surface, e.g. for grey scale or improved viewing angle} - G02F 1/133788: {by light irradiation, e.g. linearly polarised light photo-polymerisation} - G02F 1/133796: {having conducting property} - Y10T 29/49147: Assembling terminal to base - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Methods are provided for making layers with nano- and micro-patterned topographies by laser action or inkjet printing on a first surface. These topographies have a periodicity of 5 nm to 500 μm in a first direction in the plane of the first surface. These layers can be used as anisotropically patterned alignment layers in electro-optical devices and generate an orientational order of at least 0.30. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: providing a first surface; depositing a solution over the first surface via inkjet printing to form a first anisotropic pattern; and solidifying the solution to form a first anisotropically patterned alignment layer having features with a size of 5 nm to 500 μm, wherein the first anisotropic pattern formed by the deposition has a first periodicity of 5 nm to 500 μm in a first direction in the plane of the first surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first anisotropic pattern formed by the deposition has a second periodicity in a second direction in the plane of the surface, the first direction is different from the second direction, the first periodicity is different from the second periodicity, and the second periodicity is 5 nm to 500 μm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the solution includes depositing drops of the solution and solidifying the solution includes partially coalescing the drops while retaining at least some structure of the first periodicity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a first surface of a substrate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a first surface of an electrode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a first surface of a separate layer disposed on an electrode or a substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a first substrate; providing a first electrode disposed over the first substrate; disposing the first surface over the electrode; providing a liquid crystal layer disposed over the first surface; providing a second surface disposed over the liquid crystal layer; providing a second electrode disposed over the second surface; and providing a second substrate disposed over the second electrode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein: providing the second surface comprises depositing the solution over the second surface via inkjet printing to form a second anisotropic pattern; and solidifying the solution to form a second anisotropically patterned alignment layer having features with a size of 5 nm to 500 μm and a third periodicity of 5 nm to 500 μm in a third direction in the plane of the second surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the second anisotropic pattern has a fourth periodicity in a fourth direction in the plane of the second surface, the third direction is different from the fourth direction, the third periodicity is different from the fourth periodicity, and the fourth periodicity is 5 nm to 500 μm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of solidifying the solution comprises illuminating the solution with ultra-violet radiation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of solidifying the solutions comprises heating the solution with infra-red radiation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises at least one of a conjugated polymer, an acrylate, a urethane, an organosilane, or an epoxy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises at least one of a surfactant or a binder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises at least one of an alcohol, a ketone, an aldehyde, an alkane, an alkene, or a chlorinated solvent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises nanoparticles of at least one of a metal or a metal oxide. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises carbon nanotubes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: aligning at least one of a nematic, cholesteric, smectic, discotic, or blue-phase liquid crystal layer with the anisotropically patterned alignment layer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: aligning, with the anisotropically patterned alignment layer, a nematic liquid crystal layer with an orientational order parameter of at least S=0.50. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: at least one of managing, scattering, or diffracting light with the anisotropically patterned alignment layer.