Liquid crystalline conjugated polymers have potential applications as inexp
ensive, easy to process polarized back lights for liquid crystal displays.
Three 'Hairy rod' type conjugated polymers, namely Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene
) [PFO] and two alternating co-polymers with benzothiadiazole and dithiophe
ne moieties in the mainchain, have been investigated. In this paper, we pre
sent polarized absorption and photoluminescence for films aligned on rubbed
polyimide [PI] alignment layers. We also report electroluminescence measur
ements for oriented multilayer devices with rubbed hole transporting alignm
ent layers [HTAL]. Sample preparation, device fabrication and characterisat
ion are discussed and a preview of future work is given. (C) 2000 Elsevier
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