Self-assembled monolayers for liquid crystal alignment
AssigneeUniversity Research Corporation
InventorsDavid M. Walba, Charles A. Liberko
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Abstract
A method of aligning liquid crystals in the construction of liquid crystal cell for use in optical devices is provided. The method involves formation of a self-assembled monolayer on substrates used to form the cells. The substrate having the monolayer are then rubbed in one direction. Two substrates are combined with rubbing directions anti-parallel and spaced to form a cell. A liquid crystal is then inserted and aligned between the substrates. High quality alignment is achieved with this method.
Claims20
A self-assembled monolayer for alignment of liquid crystals formed by treating a substrate adaptable for use in a liquid crystal cell with tetradecyltriethoxysilane.
A method of aligning a liquid crystal between two transparent or semi-transparent substrates for use in a liquid crystal cell which comprises:
- forming a self-assembled monolayer on each of said substrates;
- rubbing the surface of each of said treated substrates having said monolayer in one direction;
- forming a liquid crystal cell by overlaying the two treated substrates and interposing an appropriately sized spacer therebetween such that the rubbing directions of the two plates are in an antiparallel orientation;
- and
- introducing a liquid crystal between said spaced antiparallel substrates.
A liquid crystal cell comprising an aligned liquid crystal wherein said liquid crystal is aligned employing a self-assembled monolayer.
A method of aligning a liquid crystal between two transparent or semi-transparent substrates for use in a liquid crystal cell which comprises:
- forming a self-assembled monolayer on said substrates such that the surface of said substrates is flat to less than 10 Angstroms as measured by atomic force microscopy;
- rubbing the surface of said treated substrates having said monolayer in one direction;
- forming a liquid crystal cell by overlaying the two treated rubbed substrates and interposing an appropriately sized spacer therebetween such that the rubbing directions of the two plates are in an antiparallel orientation with respect to each other;
- and
- introducing a liquid crystal between said spaced antiparallel substrates such that said liquid crystal is aligned.
A substrate adaptable for use in a liquid crystal cell having on one surface a self-assembled monolayer which is formed by treating said surface with tetradecyltriethoxysilane.
A liquid crystal cell comprising a transparent or semi-transparent substrate with a self-assembled monolayer formed on a surface of said substrate and an aligned liquid crystal wherein said liquid crystal is aligned employing a self-assembled monolayer and wherein said self-assembled monolayer is formed on said substrate by treating said substrate with tetradecyltriethoxysilane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.