Enhanced surface anchoring energy for the photo-alignment layer with reactive mesogens for fast response time of liquid crystal displays

We propose a method for enhancing the surface anchoring energy in photo-alignment (PA) through a two-step ultraviolet (UV) exposure process using reactive mesogens (RM) for fast response time characteristics of liquid crystal displays. We establish the azimuthal alignment direction through the first linearly polarized UV exposure process, as the conventional PA method does. We then achieve the stable alignment and strong surface anchoring energies of our method through the second unpolarized UV exposure process, which polymerizes the RM monomers within the vertical alignment layer. As a result, the fast response time characteristics are remarkably improved, and thermal stability is obtained. (paper)