Advanced Materials · 2000 · 78 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesChemistryMaterials ScienceOptical MaterialsPolymer ChemistryThin FilmsCrystal ChemistryCrystal DirectionsLiquid CrystalsOptical PolymersPolymer Thin FilmsThin Film Optical PropertiesDiscotic Liquid CrystalsLiquid Crystal AlignmentLiquid Crystal Surface AlignmentPhotochemical EffectsPhotochemical Reactions
Surface-assisted orientational control of discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) induced by photoaligning thin films of an azobenzene-containing polymer is described. The photochemical technique developed can be used to photopattern DLC films (see Figure), which may have applications in novel molecular devices such as optical compensatory sheets, and provides an opportunity for understanding the orientation mechanism of DLCs.