Orientation control of antiferroelectric liquid crystals (AFLCs) by temperature gradient cooling method

Abstract

It has difficult to form chevron layer structures without zigzag and line-like defects and produce a cell with sufficient ability to withstand external impact on the antiferroelectric liquid crystals (AFLCs). These two problems should be resolved at the same time. We made the rugged cell having many tunnels closed off except at the inlet and outlet, and developed the method of cooling them from one end to the other under a temperature gradient. The direction of layers bend is uniquely controlled by the direction of molecular movement due to bulk volume contraction, with decrease in temperature. Zigzag and line-like defects remarkably decreased.