In VA mode LCD, photo-alignment method using RM (reactive mesogen) has been widely investigated during the last decade. When the liquid crystal is tilted along with the applied electric field, the photo-polymerization of RM can keep the tilted state o...
In VA mode LCD, photo-alignment method using RM (reactive mesogen) has been widely investigated during the last decade. When the liquid crystal is tilted along with the applied electric field, the photo-polymerization of RM can keep the tilted state of liquid crystal, and then, when electric field is removed, the pre-tilted liquid crystal will be formed. The pre-tilted liquid crystal shows considerably improved response time. But polymerized RM make uneven surface of alignment layers and induce scattering of light decreasing contrast ratio. In this study, we synthesized new photo-crosslinkable polyimide alignment layer containing the photosensitive side chain as well as vertical alignment side chain for VA mode LCD. We coated the new photo-crosslinkable polyimide on the IPS substrates to make VA-IPS cells. VA-IPS cells using positive LC show fast decaying time as compared with VA cells using negative LC. The reason is related to low rotational viscosity of positive LC. When the liquid crystal in the VA-IPS cell is aligned along with the applied electric field, we exposed UV light. Photosensitive side chains underwent photo-dimerization, which vertically aligned liquid crystals with pre-tilted angle. Because the new photo-alignment layer can make pre-tilted liquid crystal without RM, It can improve contrast ratio and production of VA mode LCD.