Plasma modification of fluoropolymers for aligning liquid crystals Article

Shah, HJ, Delaine, D, Fontecchio, AK. (2008). Plasma modification of fluoropolymers for aligning liquid crystals . 4(2), 160-165. 10.1109/JDT.2007.913944

cited authors

  • Shah, HJ; Delaine, D; Fontecchio, AK

authors

abstract

  • In this paper we describe methods to control liquid crystal (LC) alignment using plasma discharge on ferroelectric fluoropolymers. Two different plasma modification techniques were investigated: corona discharge and RF plasma in Ar gas. Corona discharge is a proven technique known to reorient the dipoles in poly (vinylidene fluoride) and its copolymers resulting in a strong remnant polarization. The polarization was patterned resulting in preferential LC alignment in selected regions. RF plasma in Ar gas defluorinates the polymer surface leading to planar alignment of positive dielectric anisotropy LCs. The defluorination of the alignment layer also causes low voltage switching of the LC. © 2008 IEEE.

publication date

  • June 1, 2008

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 160

end page

  • 165

volume

  • 4

issue

  • 2