LC Alignment Effects and EO Performances for Homeotropic Aligned NLC on the SiO_x Thin Film Layer by e-Beam Evaporation

Abstract

In this study, liquid crystal (LC) alignment effects for homeotropic alignment on the SiO_x thin film by electron beam evaporation method with electron beam system and electro-optical (EO) performances of homeotropic aligned liquid crystal display (LCD) were studied. Also, the control of pretilt angles of homeotropic aligned LC on SiO_x thin film as a function of thin film thickness were investigated. The uniform vertical LC alignment on the SiO_x thin film surfaces with electron beam evaporation was achieved in any of the thin film thickness conditions. It is considered that the LC alignment on the SiO_x thin film by electron beam evaporation is attributed to the elastic interaction between LC molecules and micro-grooves at the SiO_x thin film surface created by evaporation. In addition, LC cell of the SiO_x thin film by electron beam evaporation had good EO property.

Keywords:

• alignment
• electron beam (e-beam)
• evaporation
• electro-optical performances
• pretilt angle
• response time
• thermal stability

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Research Laboratory program (M1-0412-00-0008) and by the Ministry of Information & Communications of Korea under the Information Technology Research Center (ITRC) Program.