Versatile alignment layer method for new types of liquid crystal photonic devices
Abstract
Liquid crystal photonic devices are becoming increasingly popular. These devices often present a challenge when it comes to creating a robust alignment layer in pre-assembled cells. In this paper, we describe a method of infusing a dye into a microcavity to produce an effective photo-definable alignment layer. However, previous research on such alignment layers has shown that they have limited stability, particularly against subsequent light exposure. As such, we further describe a method of utilizing a pre-polymer, infused into the microcavity along with the liquid crystal, to provide photostability. We demonstrate that the polymer layer, formed under ultraviolet irradiation of liquid crystal cells, has been effectively localized to a thin region near the substrate surface and provides a significant improvement in the photostability of the liquid crystal alignment. This versatile alignment layer method, capable of being utilized in devices from the described microcavities to displays, offers significant promise for new photonics applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.4926737
Entities
People
- C. Bozler
- D. Bryant
- H. Clark
- L. Lu
- Oleg Yaroshchuk
- Philip J. Bos
- R. Reich
- Shaun Berry
- V. Finnemeyer
Organizations
- Institute of Physics
- Kent State University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- United States Air Force