Analytical determination of anchoring energy coefficient in liquid crystal cells

Abstract

An analytical solution for the anchoring energy coefficient of liquid crystal (LC) cells with arbitrary values of pretilt angles is derived. When phase retardation is plotted against applied voltage, one acquires the extrapolation length of the anchoring, and the anchoring energy coefficient is derived in the low-voltage regime. This solution can be applied to LC cells with various pretilt angles straightforwardly. Finally, the anchoring energy coefficient of 4.9 × 10⁻⁵ J/m² is obtained for a homemade LC cell with a pretilt angle of 32.7°.

Keywords:

• liquid crystal
• anchoring energy coefficient
• phase retardation

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the supports of the Wintek Corporation and that of the National Science Council, R.O.C., under contract No. NSC 100-2112-M-033-003.