Three-Dimensional Ordering of Nematic Liquid Crystals with Azimuth and Tilt Controlled by Patterned Photoalignment and Selective Polymer Stabilization

In this paper, we present a novel approach for advanced, three-dimensional patterned ordering of nematic liquid crystals. Our method allows for simultaneous control of azimuth and tilt of molecules by using a two-step process based on patterned photoalignment (used to define azimuth) followed by selective polymer stabilization of molecules reorientated with an electric field (used to define tilt). We demonstrate that those two subsequent processes, realized with high-resolution patterned illumination with UV light, allow us to obtain multiple microdomains with independently controlled tilt and azimuth. It opens possibilities to create complex three-dimensional distributions of director within a single liquid crystal cell, which is impossible with any other technique so far. Moreover, although the polymer-stabilization process is used, it is still possible to retune the tilt of the molecules; however, the electric field intensity needed for tuning is slightly higher than in the non-polymerized areas of the sample.