Liquid crystal photo-alignment layers made from aromatic bismaleimides

We propose a new type of liquid crystal photo-alignment layer made from aromatic bismaleimides. Aromatic bismaleimides are expected to react anisotropically by irradiation of polarized ultraviolet (UV) light. In the fabrication process of the new photo-alignment layers the curing process is much shorter than that needed for conventional polymeric types of photo-alignment layers. We have proved that the use of aromatic bismaleimides enables liquid crystal molecules to be aligned homogeneously by irradiation of polarized UV light. In particular N,N'-p-phenylenebismaleimide shows good photo-alignment characteristics and high UV sensitivity. In studying the relationship between molecular structures of aromatic bismaleimides and photo-alignment properties, we find that aromatic bismaleimides that have a linear molecular structure and resonance structure produce good photo-alignment layers.