2c01 Relation between liquid crystal materials and alignment directions on rubbed polyvinyl imidazole film

Abstract

Easy axes of a rubbed Polyvinyimidazol (PVI) film have been investigated in different liquid crystals. MBBA aligned parallel to the rubbing direction and 5CB aligned perpendicular. The PVI film surface was also rubbed by silicone rubber sheet and the rubbed surface had no micro-grooves. The same LC dependence of easy axis can be obtain as the rubbed surface by using clothes of polyester, rayon and cotton. Microgrooves, therefore, does not contribute to the parallel alignment to the rubbing direction, in the case of MBBA.