Patent · US Expired

Liquid crystal alignment by covalently bound anisotropes

US6153272A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
4References
54Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 18, 1998
Grant dateNov 28, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 18, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F2202/022
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A polymer surface in contact with a liquid crystal medium is exposed to polarized light, whereby a covalently bound anisotropic component of the polymer surface aligns in response to the polarized light. Alignment of the anisotropic component causes alignment of the liquid crystal medium. An interference pattern of two polarized lights causes the covalently bound anisotropic component to form microgrooves on the polymer surface. A liquid crystal cell includes at least one polymer surface that has a covalently bound anisotropic component that can align in response to polarized light and a liquid crystal in contact with the polymer surface.

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