Effect of Air Bubble on Liquid Crystal Alignment

Abstract

Oriented liquid crystal (LC) cells in crossed polarizers without applying voltage have a uniform appearance. But when a voltage is applied, a mosaic texture with sections of different orientations of LC molecules can be observed. The smooth and consistent movement of the air bubble, was formed at the LC cell making, allows for obtaining a uniform orientation pattern. It is shown that the bubble’s surface tension is comparable with the force of LC molecules anchoring with orienting layer.