We report the studies of the photoalignment properties of fluorinated polyv
inylcinnamate (PVCN-F) films. The influence of film preparation and UV ligh
t irradiation conditions on anchoring properties were investigated. We have
studied surface director reorientation in a magnetic field for various exp
osures and surface conditions. The results obtained show that both the prep
aration conditions and exposure time determine surface morphology, which in
turn affect the value of anchoring energy. For small concentration of the
PVCN-F in a spin-coated solution the surface of the aligning film is rather
smooth, and the value of anchoring energy W-phi = 10(-5) J m(-2) is presum
ably determined by a physico-chemical interaction. Higher concentration of
the PVCN-F results in rough irregularities on the surface, and the value of
the anchoring value increases due to a predominant contribution of the Ber
reman-type anchoring up to 7 x 10(-5) J m(-2).