EFFECTS OF SURFACE-TOPOLOGY AND HIGHLY ANISOTROPIC POLYMER LB FILMS ON LIQUID-CRYSTAL ALIGNMENT

Controlling molecular orientation, especially in liquid crystals, is o f particular current interest for example in the development of displa y technology. Here it is shown, through studying various LCs (e.g. PCH 5 or Oil red O, see figure) and orientation techniques, that the align ment of the polymer chains in the alignment layer plays the most impor tant role in controlling the orientation of the liquid crystals.