Nonlinear optical studies of liquid crystal alignment on a rubbed polyvinyl alcohol surface

Xing Wei, Seok Cheol Hong, Xiaowei Zhuang, Tomohisa Goto, Y. R. Shen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

241 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy and second-harmonic generation have been used to measure the orientational distributions of the polymer chains and adsorbed 8CB liquid crystal molecules on a rubbed polyvinyl alcohol surface. Results show that the polymer chains at the surface appear to be well aligned by rubbing, and the adsorbed liquid crystal molecules are aligned, in turn, by the surface polymer chains. Strong correlation exists between the orientational distributions of the polymer chains and the liquid crystal molecules, indicating that the surface-induced bulk alignment of a liquid crystal film by rubbed polymer surfaces is via an orientational epitaxylike mechanism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5160-5172
Number of pages13
JournalPhysical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
Volume62
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Statistics and Probability
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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