Surface alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystals using side chain ferroelectric liquid crystal polymer

New surface alignment material for surface stablized ferroelectric liquid crystal displays (SSFLCDs) is investigated. Side chain ferroelectric liquid crystal polymer (SCFLCP) such as Poly{methyl 4-[[[S-(-)-2-methyl-1-butoxy]carbonyl] phenyl]4'-hexyloxybenzoyl} Siloxane was used as the alignment layer which resulted in good uniform alignment of FLC molecules without zig-zag defects. However, RN-715 polyimide alignment layer showed random alignments with some zig-zag defects in the SSFLC cells. After the field stablization of (+/-)20 V AC, the typical stripe-shaped patterns appeared. Good electro-optical performance was observed by using SCFLCP.