Patterning of liquid crystals using soft-imprint replication of surface alignment patterns
US10627677B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2017 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
Soft-imprint alignment processes for patterning liquid crystal polymer layers via contact with a reusable alignment template are described herein. An example soft-imprint alignment process includes contacting a liquid crystal polymer layer with a reusable alignment template that has a desired surface alignment pattern such that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal polymer are aligned to the surface alignment pattern via chemical, steric, or other intermolecular interaction. The patterned liquid crystal polymer layer may then be polymerized and separated from the reusable alignment template. The process can be repeated many times. The reusable alignment template may include a photo-alignment layer that does not comprise surface relief structures that correspond to the surface alignment pattern and a release layer above this photo-alignment layer. A reusable alignment template and methods of fabricating the same are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.