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Structured, photosensitive PVK and PVCN polymer layers for control of liquid crystal alignment

Structured, photosensitive PVK and PVCN polymer layers for control of liquid crystal alignment
Structured, photosensitive PVK and PVCN polymer layers for control of liquid crystal alignment
We present characteristics of liquid crystal reorientation in cells with alignment layers made of different poly(vinyl)-type polymers. Mechanically-rubbed poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) produces planar alignment of liquid crystals with easy axis orthogonal to the rubbing direction and zero pretilt angle. Doping PVK with C60 makes this liquid crystal–polymer system extremely photosensitive for visible wavelengths. Illumination with a Gaussian beam reveals a complex structure of patterns of reoriented liquid crystal molecules. Using poly(vinyl-cinnamate) (PVCN), exposed to UV light, a periodic alignment of liquid crystals can be achieved via this all-optical method.
Optics at surfaces, liquid crystals, photoconductive materials, polymers, microstructure fabrication
0218-8635
547-555
Kaczmarek, Malgosia
408ec59b-8dba-41c1-89d0-af846d1bf327
Dyadyusha, Andriy
daa939a8-2860-4a31-ab12-7950bf59aeef
Kaczmarek, Malgosia
408ec59b-8dba-41c1-89d0-af846d1bf327
Dyadyusha, Andriy
daa939a8-2860-4a31-ab12-7950bf59aeef

Kaczmarek, Malgosia and Dyadyusha, Andriy (2003) Structured, photosensitive PVK and PVCN polymer layers for control of liquid crystal alignment. Journal of Nonlinear Optical Physics and Materials, 12 (4), 547-555. (doi:10.1142/S021886350300164X).

Record type: Article

Abstract

We present characteristics of liquid crystal reorientation in cells with alignment layers made of different poly(vinyl)-type polymers. Mechanically-rubbed poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) produces planar alignment of liquid crystals with easy axis orthogonal to the rubbing direction and zero pretilt angle. Doping PVK with C60 makes this liquid crystal–polymer system extremely photosensitive for visible wavelengths. Illumination with a Gaussian beam reveals a complex structure of patterns of reoriented liquid crystal molecules. Using poly(vinyl-cinnamate) (PVCN), exposed to UV light, a periodic alignment of liquid crystals can be achieved via this all-optical method.

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Published date: 2003
Keywords: Optics at surfaces, liquid crystals, photoconductive materials, polymers, microstructure fabrication
Organisations: Quantum, Light & Matter Group

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 15129
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/15129
ISSN: 0218-8635
PURE UUID: ca8950f3-897a-448a-bd80-0328989687fd

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Date deposited: 17 Mar 2005
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 05:35

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Author: Andriy Dyadyusha

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