Determination of anchoring energy in nematic liquid crystal cells with controllable twist angles using a Stokes parameter method

An accurate measurement method for determining the two-dimensional distribution of an azimuthal anchoring energy is developed by continuously controlling the combination angle between two rubbing alignment films of a sample liquid crystal cell. The anchoring energy can be precisely obtained by measuring actual cell parameters, such as cell thickness and the twist angle of the liquid crystal (LC) cell by torque balance and Stokes parameter methods.