Liquid crystal device and method of making a liquid crystal device

摘要

A surface mode liquid crystal device is made by forming a cell (1) containing a mixture of a liquid crystal (7) and a pre-polymer. An electric field is applied across the cell (1) to arrange the liquid crystal (7) in a predetermined surface mode state, such as the V state in the case of a pi-cell configuration. The liquid crystal (7) is held in this state by the field while the pre-polymer is polymerised or cross-linked, for instance by ultraviolet irradiation. The electric field is then removed. The polymer stabilises the predetermined surface mode state, for instance preventing relaxation of the V state to the twist or splay state in the pi-cell configuration. <IMAGE>