Fabrication of Aligned Liquid Crystal Cell/Film by Simultaneous Alignment and Phase Separation

KSU.201

Abstract: Useful in manufacture for all types of liquid crystal displays, this technology combines two processes into a single, in-situ photoalignment process using polarized ultraviolet (UV) light exposure and anistropic phase separation using PSCOF technology.  This makes it possible to prepare aligned liquid crystal films over an alignment layer with or without pretilt.  This method permits preparation of an aligned liquid crystal cell, without alignment layer, in a single UV exposure step.

Applications:

·         Fabrication of  all types of liquid crystal devices – glass or flexible substrates – including smart cards

Advantages:

•          Prepare aligned liquid crystal films over an alignment layer with or without pretilt
•          Single UV exposure step
•          May be used either inside a cell or on a substrate
•          Alignment layers have higher anchoring energies
•          Resulting alignment layers are more thermally stable compared to conventional UV exposure technique
•          Easier, less costly manufacture

Inventors:  Dr. Satyendra Kumar, Dr. Liang-Chy (L.C.) Chien, Dr. Jae-Hoon Kim