Self‐Alignment Technology of Liquid Crystal Molecules for Homogeneous and Vertical Alignments

ABSTRACT The preparation method for uniaxial‐homogeneously and vertically aligned liquid crystal (LC) molecules were proposed without using conventional alignment layer materials such as polyimides. The method produces the homogeneously and vertically self‐aligned layers (HSAL and VSAL) by polymerization of monomer agents solubilized in the LC layer. The LC alignment modes, fringe‐field‐switching (FFS) and vertically aligned (VA) modes, with the SALs (self‐FFS and self‐VA cells) formed from the monomers exhibited equivalent level of alignment state, electrical property, and electro‐optical property compared with the cells formed from conventional alignment layers such as the polyimides. The self‐FFS and the self‐VA cells would be useful for next‐generation displays because the method does not need any solvents and heating process over 200°C, indicating that the fabrication process would be environmentally friendly. In addition, as the process does not need high temperature process, this would also be suitable for next‐generation LCD technologies such as flexible and narrow‐frame displays.