Control of nematic liquid crystal alignment using stripped film method

We investigate a new rubbing-free process for nematic liquid crystal (LC) alignment using the stripped film method. It was found that the direction of the nematic director, the pretilt angle and the tilt-up direction are determined by the peeling direction. The nematic director was aligned parallel to the peeling direction, and the pretilt angle increased in the direction opposite to the peeling direction. The value of the pretilt angle, 1.5 degrees, was independent of the peeling speed. Device-quality alignment was realized on the surface of a stripped substrate.