The use of photolithography on molecular orientation of the liquid crystals

The photolithography was used on molecular orientation of liquid crystals as an alternative to other conventional methods. Either planar or homeotropic orientation were provided with surface anchoring energy for the molecular alignment. The photolithography were applied to provide micro-grooving on the film surface, which is including polyimide coatings, UV exposure, chemical etching and thermal curing process, respectively. Three type liquid crystal cells were made by provided rubbing and photolithography for planar alignment and also homeotropic alignment. Electro-optical properties of the liquid crystals were examined under the electric field at phase transition region for three type liquid crystal cells. It was observed that the photolithographic method was the more effective and acceptable results than the other conventional methods on the molecular orientations.