Investigation and Handling of Langmuir-Blodgett Polyimide Alignment Layers for Surface-Stabilized Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Displays

Abstract
Handling of polyimide-Langmuir-Blodgett (PI-LB) alignment layers for surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal (SSFLC) cells is optimized and investigated. Different kinds of indium tin oxide substrates are compared with respect to surface roughness and structure by scanning tunneling microscopy. The decrease of surface corrugation by depositing single PI-LB layers is shown. Orientation of PI monolayers can be measured by optical retardation. Orientation after LB coating exists only with small substrates. With bigger ones, additional rubbing is necessary. The order parameter for LB layers induced by rubbing is calculated. The perfect alignment properties can be seen in bistable high-contrast SSFLC matrix cells. A new method of removing zigzags (ZZs) is introduced, and the physical reason for it is found in the electromechanical effect.

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