Bend-mode liquid crystal cells stabilized by aligned polymer walls

We have studied ways of stabilizing the bend configuration in pi-cells by forming polymer walls. This novel device with polymer walls, which makes an initial splay-bend transition unnecessary, incorporates minute structures fabricated by applying the processes of local photopolymerization-induced phase separation and electric field orientation. In fabricating the device, a mixed solution of nematic liquid crystal and an ultraviolet (UV)-curable liquid-crystal line monomer was subjected to an electric field to induce the bend transition, and UV light was illuminated on selected regions in this mixed solution to cause photopolymerization, so that minute aligned polymer walls could be selectively formed inside the device. We examined the operation of the device and found that the bend-alignment cells performed basic functions in the stable bend state, and that this state can be maintained even if the cells are set to a small pre-tilt angle, such as 1 degrees.