Parallel Alignment of Poly-γ-Benzyl-Glutamate Nematic Liquid Crystal at a Solid Surface

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Abstract
We have developed a simple practical method of producing large single crystalline nematic samples of poly–γ-benzyl-glutamate aligned parallel on glass or quartz substrates. The substrates were plasma coated with a thin polyethylene film and the sample was then aligned in a 10 K Gauss magnetic field. This produced very uniformly aligned parallel samples with the direction of alignment determined by the magnetic field. The uniformity of the alignment is enhanced by silicon monoxide evaporated obliquely on the substrates prior to coating with polyethylene. The characterization of the polyethylene coating is given, and the properties of the resulting surface are described.