Recent advances in producing patterned orientation of liquid crystals

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Abstract
Patterned orientation of liquid crystals is a new emerging area and offers new promises for data storage with high spatial resolution and long memory. We describe below recent advances in producing patterned orientation of liquid crystal molecules. In one of the techniques developed by us, the patterned orientation of liquid crystal molecules is caused by bulk- induced alignment of liquid crystals by photo-polymerization using linearly polarized UV- light. In this process, the local macroscopic orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the polarization direction of the linearly polarized UV-light and patterns when a high degree of spatial resolution could be recorded optically. In yet another newly discovered technique, the pattern orientation of liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the polymer layer substrate cured thermally. In this process, the aligning polymer layer substrate is placed in contact with the patterned metal mask surface and cured thermally by a unidirectional heat source. The stored information is useful for aligning liquid crystal molecules. This process of aligning liquid crystals has given rise to new possibilities of using them for storing information permanently with a high degree of spatial resolution of approximately 30 - 40 micrometers.

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