Multi-domain liquid crystal alignment by micro-contact printed polymer layers

We proposed a patterning method of liquid crystal (LC) alignment layers for producing multi-domain LC structures. It was demonstrated that conventional LC alignment materials could be selectively patterned by controlling the surface wetting properties of a patterning material during micro-contact printing procedures. The proposed patterning method was particularly simple and, thus, easily applicable to several LC devices in enhancing or designing electro-optic properties by using multi-domain LC structures.