Double Layer Liquid Crystal Device Orthogonal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of orthogonally aligned double-layer liquid crystal devices is technically demanding and costly, requiring multiple glass layers with alignment layers, which can lead to issues like mura, contamination, and increased production effort, while existing photoalignment methods are limited to achieving only one alignment direction at a time.
Innovation Solution
A double-layer liquid crystal device with orthogonal or crossed alignment using polymerized or polymerizable molecular compounds as alignment aids, where the layers have planar alignment at different angles, achieved through specific UV photoalignment processes that differ in reaction speed or absorption spectrum, allowing for orthogonal alignment in a single process step or sequential steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional polyimide alignment layers with rubbing process are used, then liquid crystal alignment is achieved, but production complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rubbing process with a photoalignment method using UV irradiation. The alignment is achieved through light-induced orientation of liquid crystal molecules on the substrate surface, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and associated problems like debris, contamination, and static discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the polyimide layer from the alignment process. By using a substrate with built-in photoalignment properties, the separate polyimide alignment layer is removed, simplifying the structure to essentially one less layer and reducing material costs.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple glass layers with alignment layers are used for orthogonal alignment, then proper liquid crystal alignment is achieved, but production effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses photoalignment with UV irradiation to achieve orthogonal alignment between layers, replacing the need for multiple glass substrates with alignment layers. The UV light induces specific molecular orientations that automatically establish the required orthogonal relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the alignment parameters by using different UV irradiation conditions (wavelength, intensity, duration) to achieve different alignment angles. This allows orthogonal alignment to be achieved through parameter adjustment rather than through complex mechanical assembly of multiple layers.
3Productivity
If conventional photoalignment method is used, then alignment is achieved, but only one alignment direction can be obtained at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sequential UV irradiation steps with different polarization directions to achieve multiple alignment directions. The first UV treatment establishes one alignment direction, then a second UV treatment with orthogonal polarization establishes the perpendicular alignment direction, enabling double-layer orthogonal alignment through periodic processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the production of double-layer liquid crystal devices by reducing the need for polyimide layers and multiple glass substrates, optimizing image quality and reducing production costs while enabling efficient orthogonal alignment of liquid crystal layers.
Implementation Method 1
the alignment aids are polymerized or polymerizable molecular compounds... The layers are aligned by UV photoalignment
Data Source
AI summary
A double layer liquid crystal device comprises a first and a second layer with orthogonal or crossed alignment of the liquid crystal phase of the two layers, in which the first and second layer have first and second alignment aids comprised of a polymerized or polymerizable molecular compound. The layers are aligned by UV photoalignment and vertical self-alignment by the aid of suitable additives.