Measurement of twist angle distribution and an azimuthal anchoring energy by Stokes parameter method (SPM)

Abstract

For the azimuthal anchoring energy measurement using the torque balance method, it is difficult to determine the combination angle of easy axis between an upper substrate and a lower substrate accurately. We propose a more accurate method without determining the easy axis combination. Some LC cells in which LC molecules align homogeneously on one substrate and axially symmetric on the other side are prepared. We measured the 2D twist angle and cell thickness distributions of the cell by using a Stokes parameter method and calculated the azimuthal anchoring energy of the alignment film.