DC switching of bistable textures in HAN cells with bistable surfaces fabricated using the oblique UV optical alignment technique

ABSTRACT

Bistable surfaces for liquid crystal (LC) alignment were fabricated. A polyimide alignment film, which performed as a weak anchoring force film, was used, and the oblique-photo alignment method was used as an alignment process. Hybrid aligned nematic (HAN) cells with in-plane electrodes were assembled for inducing a flexoelectric polarization. The LC material was injected into the empty cells. When the polarization of the electric field was switched, the LC textures achieved polarity switching. In addition, the memory function of the LC texture was confirmed. Further, the application possibility for bistable liquid-crystal displays was shown using asymmetrically shaped electrode patterns.

KEYWORDS:

• Bistable
• bistable switching
• memory mode
• flexoelectric effect
• HAN cell

Funding

We would like to thank Merck Ltd., Japan for supplying the LC materials. We also thank Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd. for supplying the alignment materials.