Bifunctional ITO layer with a high resolution, surface nano-pattern for alignment and switching of LCs in device applications

摘要

Hee-Tae Jung, Shin-Woong Kang and co-workers have devised an efficient way to prepare liquid-crystal devices. These devices comprise a layer of liquid crystals – molecules that flow as in a liquid state yet can be aligned over large areas in a crystalline manner – sandwiched between two electrodes. Controlling the orientation of the liquid crystals can be used to modulate light, but this is usually achieved through additional components or processing steps. Relying on a lithographic technique, the researchers have now used ion bombardment and a mould material to create stripes on the surface of an electrically conductive indium tin oxide surface. The resulting material is bifunctional, serving as both an electrode and a way to control the alignment of the liquid crystals over large domains. Devices constructed using indium tin oxide patterned in this way have shown good electro-optical properties, making this technique promising for practical applications.