Photo polymerization-induced Hybrid Alignment of Nematic Liquid Crystal for Roll to Roll Fabrication

Here we report a photo polymerization-induced hybrid alignment of a nematic liquid crystal cell which can be applied for a roll to roll fabrication process. Predominant polymerization in the vicinity of UV incident front induced a diffusion of monomers toward front slide and anisotropic polymer network was formed parallel to the polarization direction of the UV light. This induced planar alignment of liquid crystals at the front slide. Simultaneously, homeotropic alignment was induced at the bottom slide as the polymers are phase-separated from a bottom slide.