Fabrication of a fast-switching liquid crystal device using reactive self-assembled polyimide alignment layer

ABSTRACT

We proposed a new vertical alignment method for simultaneously improving the alignment force and electro-optical properties. The key point of the new method is the self-assembly of the reactive monomer via hydrogen bonding with the polyimide alignment layer and the formation of pre-tilt using the reactive monomer on an alignment layer. Through the self-assembly of the reactive monomer and the generation of the pre-tilt, it is possible to obtain a higher alignment force and a fast response time. As a result, through a simple additional step, we can fabricate a fast-switching liquid crystal device using a reactive self-assembled alignment layer.

KEYWORDS:

• Liquid crystals
• polyimide alignment layer
• reactive monomer
• self-assembly

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2014R1A1A2057947).