Precision rubbing supported by fine process analysis

— Rubbing is still the only practical method by which to attain reliable liquid‐crystal alignment in LCD manufacturing, although a small number of optional methods have been proposed. In order to be able to realize higher alignment performance for future finer displays, we need to look at not only the purpose of the process itself, which is molecular ordering in the alignment layer, but also undesirable side effects, such as contamination, triboelectric charging, and particle generation. The present paper examines the type of surface contamination that occurs during the rubbing process from a fine chemical point of view as well as rubbing‐related problems. A number of ideas are proposed by which to cope with the aforementioned problems, so that this traditional and well‐understood process can be applied much more effectively.