2C01 Change of easy axis on rubbed polymer surface by photo-crosslinking

Abstract

An easy axis of a nematic liquid crystal was investigated on the rubbed photo-crosslinking polymer. The easy axis was perpendicular to the rubbing direction when the polymer film was rubbed before non-polarized UV irradiation. However, it was found that the easy axis was parallel to the rubbing direction when the film was rubbed after crossliking by the UV irradiation. The patterning of the liquid crystal alignment was successfully demonstrated using this technique of the easy axis change.