Fast response time of fringe-field switching liquid crystal mode devices with reactive mesogens in a planar alignment layer

We report the response time of fringe-field switching (FFS) liquid crystal (LC) mode devices using an ultraviolet-curable reactive mesogen (RM) mixed in a planar alignment layer. The RM polymers within the alignment layer increase the surface azimuthal anchoring energy and the order parameter of the LC molecules. As a result, the falling time and the rising time in the FFS mode are improved by the enhanced azimuthal anchoring energy and the increased dielectric torque induced by higher order parameter of LCs. (paper)