Alignment of guest–host liquid crystals with polarized laser light

Abstract

Surface-mediated alignment of nematic liquid crystals with polarized laser light was reported recently [1]. In this communication we describe the alignment of a guest–host liquid crystal medium with polarized laser light. Liquid crystals in the illuminated region orient perpendicular to the direction of the laser polarization and remain aligned in the absence of laser radiation. The liquid crystals can be reoriented again by subsequent illumination. The kinetic feature of this surface-mediated liquid crystal orientation is characterized by the presence of coexisting liquid crystal regions of directors pointing away from the initial alignment.