Liquid crystal photoalignment: A new challenge for liquid crystal photonics

Photoalignment possesses obvious advantages in comparison with the usually "rubbing" treatment of the substrates of liquid crystal display (LCD) cells. The liquid crystal photoalignment is nano-technology, as the thickness of the alignment layer is about 2-15 nm. The photoalignment materials can be very useful for a new generation of liquid crystals displays and Photonics Devices. The advantages of the photoalignment technology and its application to Photonics LC devices will be reviewed here based on research in HKUST. © 2010 Photonics Society of Poland