Evaluation of structural and adhesive properties of nylon 6 and PTFE alignment films by means of atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a powerful technique for submicron investigation of surface properties. In this work we use the capability of this technique to investigate dielectric films used to align ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC). In fact, the final performance of a surface stabilized FLC (SSFLC) flat panel display strongly depends on the alignment layer properties and quality. This work focuses on a comparison of two alignment films: the more conventional polyamide, nylon 6, and polytetrafluoroethilene (PTFE, commercially known as Teflon), only recently used as a new aligning material. A micromorphological characterization of the sample surfaces has been carried out in order to correlate structure with alignment properties of both polymer films. The results show varying roughness and periodicity wavelengths for the two alignment layers. These different properties can be related to different anchoring forces between aligning surfaces and FLC molecules and therefore to a different electrooptical response of SSFLC cells. In addition to the topographic characterization, AFM non-conventional measurements have been performed on alignment layers deposited on different transparent conductive oxides, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and SnO₂, used to make electrodes in SSFLC displays. These measurements provide local information on the adhesive properties of the studied alignment materials as a function of substrate coating. These observations indicate less adhesion of PTFE with respect to nylon 6. Received: 16 April 2000 / Accepted: 16 April 2000 / Published online: 13 September 2000     

表面稳定模式铁电液晶分子定向和电光特性研究

通过倾斜蒸镀ＳｉＯ，获得对铁电液晶分子的均匀定向。液晶单池的对比度达１５０１，响应速度达６０μｓ，并具有良好的双稳性能。利用该定向方法制成的６４×６４电寻址铁电液晶空间光调制器，对比度高于８０１，帧数高于３９／ｓ。     

Reliable Polymer-Stabilized Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Device Using Thin Plastic Substrates

We developed a rollable polymer-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) display device using thin plastic substrates. In a device using 200-μm-thick substrates which are fastened by polymer walls and networks made by photopolymerization-induced phase separation, disorder of the FLC alignment was caused by exfoliation of these walls in curvature radii of under 30 mm. Otherwise, the uniformity of the FLC alignment was maintained even after a device using 100-μm-thick substrates was bent at a radius of 7 mm. The enhanced bending tolerance does not depend on the FLC alignment direction, and the device could be bent both convexly and concavely without any FLC alignment change. A rollable device with a size of 100 × 100 mm exhibited uniform grayscale display operation between crossed polarizers when bent with a radius of 15 mm.     

铁电液晶螺旋结构的理论近似研究

由铁电液晶（FLC）手性近晶C相下螺旋结构的理论近似计算得出FLC一个螺距内平均折射率的表达式,根据表达式可得出一个螺距内的FLC分子作为一个整体可以看成一个向列相液晶分子模型的结论.当FLC沿螺旋轴方向的厚度等于FLC螺距的整数倍时,液晶盒内垂直取向的FLC分子可看作向列相液晶模型组成的集合.ZLI-3654型FLC与5CB型向列相液晶的实验结果验证了上述结论,理论结果和实验结果一致.这一理论可为畸变螺旋FLC和垂直排列畸变螺旋FLC器件的制备以及FLC的应用提供理论指导和更深的认识. 关键词： 铁电液晶 螺距 平均折射率 向列相液晶     

AFM investigation of polymer LB films on the alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystal

A kind of newly synthesized polyimide (PI) LB films were fabricated to align ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC). The topologies of PI LB films treated by different imidization processes were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is found that the imidization temperature influences the crystalline structure of the LB films and high-temperature imidized LB films can provide the energy barrier for the realization of excellent bistability, while the ultra-thinness of LB films is helpful for the quick response of the FLC cell.     

相变前的热力学平衡态对铁电液晶排列的影响

本实验选用ZLI-3654型铁电液晶(FLC)以及SE-3140型取向剂制备FLC器件样品,通过改变FLC相变过程中的降温速率以及相变前的热力学平衡态来研究FLC相变前的热力学平衡态对FLC排列的影响,共进行了十组实验.实验后,将FLC器件静态对比度进行比较,得出手性向列相到近晶A相(N^*-SmA)相变前的热力学平衡态对FLC实现均匀排列起着极其重要的作用的结论.实验结果表明:器件的静态对比度可高达620 ∶1, N^*-SmA相变前的热力学平衡态有利于形成高对比 关键词： 铁电液晶 降温速率 热力学平衡态 高对比度     

Effects of nanoparticle doping on the phase transitional behaviour of ferroelectric liquid crystal Langmuir–Blodgett composite films

Langmuir–Blodgett films of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) doped with a low concentration of functionalized Al: ZnO (AZO) nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. Pressure–area isotherms show that the nanoparticles as well as FLC composite systems have the capability to form stable monolayers at the air–water interface. The molecular interaction between nanoparticles and FLC molecules increased during barrier compression, which resulted in increased surface pressure. We observed various phases in isotherms with increasing concentration of nanoparticles in the FLC matrix. An X-ray diffraction profile at a low angle confirmed that FLCs retain their layer structure at a low concentration doping of AZO nanoparticles in the FLC matrix. Atomic force microscopy images indicate that low wt% composites are uniformly deposited without disturbing the translation behaviour of SmC* liquid crystals.     

Molecular relaxation in homeotropically aligned ferroelectric liquid crystals

Uniform and defect-free homeotropic (HMT) alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC) cells have been successfully achieved by a non-contact technique, namely, magnetic field-assisted alignment; otherwise such alignment is difficult by conventional methods. Frequency-temperature dependent dielectric studies, confirm the presence of stable molecular relaxation around the short axis of FLC molecule, throughout SmC*-SmA* phases with minimum low-frequency fluctuations, known as Goldstone modes. The proposed non-contact alignment method, combined with FLC-based HMT configuration, would be much promising for integrated-optoelectronic devices, such as micro-mirror displays.     

Surface anchoring effect on guest–host ferroelectric liquid crystal response time – an electro-optical investigation

The effect is reported of surface anchoring on various electro-optical parameters of a pure ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) and five mixtures with different concentrations of dye. The Anthraquinone D5 dye was used as guest entity, whereas Felix 17-000 was used as host in this investigation. The presence of dye molecules in the FLC dramatically affects the electro-optical properties compared with those of the pure system. Electro-optical parameters such as spontaneous polarization and rotational viscosity not only change with the addition of dye but they are also strongly dependent on the concentration of dye in pure FLC. The effect of dye molecules on the anchoring energy of the pure FLC system was also investigated. Due to strong anchoring energy on FLC substrate, its effect on response time was also studied. An improvement in the contrast ratio after dye doping was observed. The value of spontaneous polarization increases due to addition of dye, suggesting that molecular alignment improves, which is very useful from the application point of view.     

基于裂隙灯转鼓的数字化装校技术研究

针对裂隙灯转鼓的光学装校，提出一种数字化装校方法。该方法采用透射式装校系统原理，在检测光路前后加入十字线，通过观察2个十字线在CCD图像中的成像来判断装校质量，最后通过图像处理得到数字化信息。通过提取2个十字线的中点坐标，判断转鼓光学系统的光轴是否一致；通过提取CCD图像的清晰度大小，判断转鼓光学系统是否对焦。利用该方法对转鼓进行装校，结果表明:该方法是一种利用图像处理技术将装校位置信息转化为数字信息的数字化方法，通过数字图像分析装校误差在0.1 mm以内。     

Fabrication of a Mono-Domain Alignment Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Device Using a Polar Self-Assembled Monolayer

A mono-domain ferroelectric liquid crystal device (FLCD) is fabricated using a novel method. The cell used in this method is an asymmetric cell, typically the combination of a polar self-assembled monolayer (SAM) for one substrate and a rubbed polyimide for the other substrate. A defect-free alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystal is fabricated without applying a dc voltage to remove degeneracy in the layer structure. The contact angles of self-assembled monolayer and PI-2942 are measured and the polarity of SAM is higher than the PI alignment. It is found that the polarity of self-assembled monolayer is a key factor in the formation of mono-domain alignment of FLC.     

聚酰亚胺LB膜上液晶表面锚定的研究

通过测试光延迟研究了聚酰亚胺ＬＢ膜的光学各向异性，分析了在ＬＢ膜成膜过程中成膜分子的流动取向特性，并研究了液晶的表面锚定能，分析了ＬＢ膜上液晶的取向机制．聚酰亚胺ＬＢ膜的链段的取向程度较强摩擦情形的聚酰亚胺表面的链段取向要差．强摩擦的聚酰亚胺会比聚酰亚胺ＬＢ膜具有更好的排列液晶分子的能力．ＬＢ膜的流动取向模式使得聚酰亚胺成膜分子沿拉伸方向形成一定的有序排列，并诱导液晶分子定向排列，液晶和聚合物分子相互作用是液晶表面排列的主要动力 关键词：     

液晶显示用取向材料聚甲基丙烯酸肉桂酰氧基乙酯的光控取向研究

通过实验研究了光聚合物材料聚甲基丙烯酸肉桂酰氧基乙酯（ＣＥＭＣ）的光化学反应过程, 以及对液晶材料ＬＣ－６７１０Ａ 的取向能力． 通过原子力显微镜（ＡＦＭ）观察了取向层表面在光化学反应前后的变化, 测量了光控取向膜液晶盒中液晶分子的预倾角及单面光控取向扭曲向列液晶显示器（ＴＮＬＣＤ）的电光特性和时间响应特性曲线, 研究了液晶分子排列取向的机理．     

用于液晶取向的掺偶氮类染料的光诱导取向膜

介绍了一种使用聚酰亚胺和偶氮类染料进行液晶光诱导取向技术,深入研究了代号为SY04包含两个偶氮基团的新偶氮类染料.通过对取向膜偏振吸收光谱的分析,讨论了这种混合材料光诱导取向机理.由于聚酰亚胺良好的成膜性使得这种光诱导取向膜具有很好的稳定性,偶氮类染料的引入使得液晶表面取向更加有序,从而获得了响应快速,电光特性优良的液晶盒.这种取向膜材料同时具有很好的热稳定性及抗紫外稳定性.     

The rubbing supplemented atmospheric plasma process for tunable liquid crystal alignment

Processing of the liquid crystal (LC) aligning substrates by a flux of atmospheric plasma provides controllable pretilt angle and anchoring energy, but rather poor alignment uniformity on macroscopic scale. The result is however radically improved by combination of this process with rubbing. In this case, high-quality tilted alignment is realized with a pretilt angle continuously tuned in the range 0-90°. The corresponding cells show excellent electro-optic performance. This makes combination of atmospheric plasma and rubbing processes rather attractive for industry, especially for those cases where the LC pretilt angle and anchoring energy should be patterned or continuously tuned.     

A study of magneto-crystalline alignment in sintered barium hexaferrite fabricated by powder injection molding

Barium hexaferrite permanent magnets were produced by powder injection molding. Starting barium hexaferrite powder was prepared from a Fe₂O₃ and BaCO₃ powder mixture by calcination followed by milling. The feedstock for powder injection molding was prepared by mixing barium hexaferrite powder with a low viscosity binder. Magnetic alignment was achieved by applying a high intensity magnetic field to the melted feedstock during the injection process. Green samples (with and without magnetic alignment) were subjected to solvent debinding and subsequent thermal debinding followed by sintering. Sintering conditions were optimized in order to achieve a maximum energy product value. Magneto-crystalline aligning in barium hexaferrite was studied on both green and sintered samples using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and magnetic measurements (hysteresisgraphs). All measurements were made both in a parallel and perpendicular direction to the aligning magnetic field. The obtained results confirmed magneto-crystalline alignment.     

Static and dynamic electro-optic properties of a SmC* phase in surface stabilized geometry and dispersed in the polymer matrix

Comparative electro-optical measurements have been made on a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) in surface stabilized geometry and confined to an ellipsoidal cavity within a polymer matrix. The static and dynamic electro-optical characteristics were measured for both systems and show qualitatively similar behaviours. A fast switching and important bistability were observed and characterized as a function of the applied electric field strength. The switching time between the two stable states of the surface stabilized cell was found to be longer than that found for the composite films. We argue that the faster switching dynamic of the FLC in cavities is due to the enhance of the rotational mobility of the molecules, probably (and partly) because of the soft anchoring character of the molecules at the cavity walls. Using a collective switching model in the high field regime, which assume a linear coupling between the spontaneous polarization and the local cavity electric field, we give an estimate of the rotational viscosity of the FLC molecules in the droplets.Received: 5 October 2003, Published online: 5 February 2004PACS: 61.30.Pq Microconfined liquid crystals: droplets, cylinders, randomly confined liquid crystals, polymer dispersed liquid crystals, and porous systems - 61.30.Hn Surface phenomena: alignment, anchoring, anchoring transitions, surface-induced layering, surface-induced ordering, wetting, prewetting transitions, and wetting transitions - 77.80.Fm Switching phenomena     

Subsurface damage in optical substrates

The origin, character, analysis and treatment of subsurface damage (SSD) were summarized in this paper. SSD, which was introduced to substrates by manufacture processes, may bring about the decrease of laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of substrates and thin films. Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods for the measurement of SSD were used extensively because of their conveniences and reliabilities. The principle, experimental setup and some other technological details were given for total internal reflection microscopy (TIRM), high-frequency scanning acoustic microscopy (HFSAM) and laser-modulated scattering (LMS). However, the spatial resolution, probing depth and theoretic models of these NDE methods demanded further studies. Furthermore, effective surface treatments for minimizing or eliminating SSD were also presented in this paper. Both advantages and disadvantages of ion beam etching (IBE) and magnetorheological finishing (MRF) were discussed. Finally, the key problems and research directions of SSD were summarized.     

Fourier-transform spectroscopy using liquid-crystal technology

We report the use of a ferroelectric liquid-crystal (FLC) mask as an optical encoder for development of a solid-state Fourier-transform spectrometer. For this demonstration a 1x64 element array was striped and used as a 1x4 element device. The device intersected dispersed radiation and encoded each spectral component with a carrier signal by applying half-wave potential to each of the four striped (1x16) FLC elements, which varied the transmitted amplitude of the light from 0.03% to 28% of full scale. The light was spectrally recombined and imaged onto a photomultiplier and the resulting carriers (and their amplitudes) detected by Fourier transformation of the time-varying signal. Spectra of colored-glass filters were taken to demonstrate the possibilities of the instrument.     

X‐Tream quality assurance in synchrotron X‐ray microbeam radiation therapy

Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is a novel irradiation technique for brain tumours treatment currently under development at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France. The technique is based on the spatial fractionation of a highly brilliant synchrotron X‐ray beam into an array of microbeams using a multi‐slit collimator (MSC). After promising pre‐clinical results, veterinary trials have recently commenced requiring the need for dedicated quality assurance (QA) procedures. The quality of MRT treatment demands reproducible and precise spatial fractionation of the incoming synchrotron beam. The intensity profile of the microbeams must also be quickly and quantitatively characterized prior to each treatment for comparison with that used for input to the dose‐planning calculations. The Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (University of Wollongong, Australia) has developed an X‐ray treatment monitoring system (X‐Tream) which incorporates a high‐spatial‐resolution silicon strip detector (SSD) specifically designed for MRT. In‐air measurements of the horizontal profile of the intrinsic microbeam X‐ray field in order to determine the relative intensity of each microbeam are presented, and the alignment of the MSC is also assessed. The results show that the SSD is able to resolve individual microbeams which therefore provides invaluable QA of the horizontal field size and microbeam number and shape. They also demonstrate that the SSD used in the X‐Tream system is very sensitive to any small misalignment of the MSC. In order to allow as rapid QA as possible, a fast alignment procedure of the SSD based on X‐ray imaging with a low‐intensity low‐energy beam has been developed and is presented in this publication.