Static electricity and damage of the alignment films caused by the rubbing process: the effect of the rubbing clothes

Abstract

Rubbing process is widely used as an alignment process of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) fabrication. Rubbing condition such as the rubbing strength and the choice of rubbing cloth affect a device parameters of LCD. We studied the relationship between the rubbing condition and the device parameters LCD. Induced static electricity caused by the rubbing was measured, and anchoring strength and pretilt angle were measured with various conditions of rubbing strength and rubbing cloths. Furthermore, rubbing scratch on the alignment film was evaluated by the atomic force microscope.