Patent · US Expired

Alignment layer for liquid crystal element and method of producing same

US5486403A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
14References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 28, 1994
Grant dateJan 23, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/24926
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An alignment layer for use in liquid crystals including a macromolecular material deposited on a glass substrate, the macromolecular material composed of main molecular chains which are, on the average, aligned in a first direction. A series of parallel microgrooves are formed in the macromolecular material and aligned perpendicular to the first direction, each microgroove being separated by a ridge having a triangular cross-section, and each ridge having first and second sides meeting at an apex, wherein the first side has a shorter length than the second side. As a result, disclination does not occur and sufficient reliability against external forces and heat may be obtained. In addition, numerous methods are disclosed for forming the alignment layer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.