Abstract
A new photoalignment method of controlling the pretilt angle of liquid crystals (LCs) by using organic/inorganic hybrid interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) is proposed and demonstrated. In the hybrid IPN alignment layer system, the competition between polyvinyl cinnamate) (PVCi) favoring planar alignment and poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) favoring vertical alignment made it possible to achieve pretilt angle in a wide range from 0° to 90°, and adjust pretilt angle as a function of PDMS content. In addition, we achieved the high azimuthal anchoring energy at the intermediate pretilt angle by using PDMS as the vertical-aligning component.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 16603-16612 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Optics Express |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 19 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 Sept 14 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics