Fluidity of liquid crystal droplets on alignment films

Abstract

We have directly observed the flow of nematic liquid crystal droplets between glass plates on the assembling process. The droplet concentrically expanded at slow speed on the initial stage and then expanded at high speed in proportion to the assemble rate. The two-step fluid was observed irrespective of different rubbing strength of PI alignment film. The shape and flow properties of liquid crystal droplets depended on the rubbing strength. The diameter of the droplet increased with rubbing strength during the assembling process.