Orientation of ordered liquids and their use in devices
US4256787A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 1978 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/261
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Ordered liquids, or mesophases, are aligned by forming a structure on a substrate surface using a planar process of formation, the surface structure having a predetermined pattern, and applying a mesophase to the surface to substantially orient the molecules of the mesophase in accordance with the predetermined pattern. A liquid crystal display device can be made in which, in a preferred embodiment, the liquid crystal is confined between two substrates having oppositely disposed surfaces on which selected patterns of surface structures have been formed. The surface structures can be grating structures made of a conductive material, such as metal, which structures act to align the liquid crystal in accordance with the selected patterns, to polarize light passing through the surface structures, and to provide electrical contacts so that an electrical signal applied thereto can produce an electric field in the region between the substrate surface structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.