Liquid crystals tilted by light
Article Abstract:
The illumination of thin polymer films with polarized ultraviolet light provides molecular orientation control in liquid-crystal display systems. A combination of photolithography and photoalignment technique may enable designing of more complex liquid-crystal structures. The use of these techniques may lead to significant improvements in the image quality. The use of different techniques, such as adding birefringent compensators and alternative liquid-crystal configurations, improve the quality of images in display systems.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Out of the groove
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to make a liquid-crystal display (LCD) with lithographic grooves. The LCD's upper substrate is grooved and treated with a surfactant to make the liquid-crystal molecules orientate themselves perpendicular to the surface. Molecules at the lower substrate are orientated parallel to it and at 90 deg to the grooves in the grating above. This is achieved by using rubbed-polymer treatment. The liquid-crystal material in the new cells is of a sort that tends to align perpendicular to an electric field.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Wiping out dirty displays
Article Abstract:
Researchers at IBM have developed a cleaner, more reliable alternative for aligning the crystals during the manufacture of liquid crystal displays and so producing a clear display. At present, polymer films are rubbed with a roller covered in velvet cloth. The new process uses as low-energy ion beam.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Transitions still to be made. Roll up for the revolution
- Abstracts: Genesis Gala spotlights media. The Buckeye of the storm
- Abstracts: Longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans reduced by mating but not gamete production. Yeast longevity gene goes public
- Abstracts: Fish critical to coral reefs. Letter from under the sea. Reefs at risk
- Abstracts: Worlds apart. Neutrino probes of dark energy. On the trail of the neutrino