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The kinetics of phase transformations in a chiral siloxane polymer has been studied with an Avrami analysis of the differential scanning calorimetry data. Ferroelectric switching has been measured as a function of the driving voltage and temperature. The evolution of the switching at a constant temperature has been studied within the temperature range of the kinetically governed smectic C*/smectic B phase transition. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1779–1784, 2005

Electro-optic and polarization reversal measurements were performed on a side-chain polymer exhibiting a chiral smectic phase. Based on the observed electro-optic and current responses, we discuss the possibility of an antiferroelectric structure in the polymer. In order to establish a model for the observed behavior, a detailed comparison with the properties of the low molar mass antiferroelectric substance MHPOBC was made. The birefringence modulation in the chiral smectic polymer, originating from the field-induced antiferroelectric-to-ferroelectric transition, is analyzed for the case of a randomly oriented sample. The result shows that the coincidence of birefringence modulation and polarization current peaks is strong evidence for the existence of antiferroelectric order in the smectic layers. Such coincidence was observed both for MHPOBC and the chiral side-chain polyacrylate.

In this paper we have studied inkjet printing as an alternative for coating of photo-polymerizable polymer (LPP) as alignment layers in LCD's. Film properties such as boundary condition, film thickness and surface topography are investigated, and compared with those of spin-coated LPP films. In addition, inkjet printing parameters are studied and optimized.

We present the system MePaLC for characterization of empty and filled transmissive and reflective LC cells in a production line. Cell gap and twist angle are determined from spectroscopic measurements in real time. The measurements do not require knowledge of an alignment direction.

We study optical properties of bistable reflective and transflective direct view ferroelectric liquid crystal displays (FLCDs). Single and double polarizer FLCDs with and without a retardation film are considered. Maximal contrast ratio versus optical retardation of liquid crystal layer for different configurations of FLCDs is calculated. Advantages and disadvantages of each configuration are discussed.

We propose several new methods for measuring cell gap of filled reflective LC cells on plastic substrates. Cases when plastic is anisotropic, and the LC cell consists of either one or two internal polarizers are considered. Proposed methods are well suited for both reflective and transmissive LC cells.

In this work we have studied the stabilization process with BaCl2 of Optiva Inc.'s Thin Crystal Film polarizers with photoelectron spectroscopy and time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Our results show that the conversion is complete and that the remaining ions are almost completely removed after the cleaning.

Anchoring Energy Control and Bistable Surface Switching Based on Photo-Alignment Technology

Optical modes for the direct view single-polarizer reflective bistable nematic display are derived using Jones matrix method. Both theoretical and experimental results show that these modes possess excellent brightness, high contrast ratio and wide viewing angles. Bistable switching realized by anchor breaking on a photosensitive polymer is demonstrated.