Thin film surface orientation for liquid crystals

Abstract

Vacuum-deposited films now replace the familiar "rubbing" process in substrate preparation for liquid-crystal cells. Films deposited at an angle provide an oriented surface for alignment of nematic liquid crystals far better than the well-known "rubbed" plate. The oblique deposit causes a film growth in a preferred direction, which results in a "sympathetic alignment" of the nematic liquid crystals when applied. © 1972 The American Institute of Physics.