Vertical alignment of liquid crytals on polydimethylsiloxane thin films

Abstract

Studies on the use of polydimethylsiloxane to align liquid crystals have been carried out. The thin films prepared using the silicon-based elastomer, with a pretty low surface free energy, are found to be capable of vertically aligning liquid crystals. The pretilt angle of calamitic liquid crystals sandwiched between thin silicon elastomer films was virtually 90 degrees. Liquid crystal devices consisting of elastomer alignment layers can operate in the in-plane-switch mode. © 2011 Photonics Society of Poland.