Organization of liquid crystals on submicron scale topographic patterns with fourfold symmetry prepared by thiolene photopolymerization-based nanoimprint lithography

The organization of nematic liquid crystals in thin cells with one surface topographically patterned by thiolene step and flash nanoimprint lithography was studied using depolarizing transmission light microscopy. Planar bistable organization was observed for 2 and 4 mu m wide square grid patterns in agreement with model calculations, and with 600 nm scale square and checkerboard patterns. We also demonstrate that thin films of an isotropic liquid (ethylene glycol) can be used to achieve random planar surface anchoring. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.