Nanoimprinting-lithography-induced self-aligned liquid crystals for novel multifunctional optical films

Polymerizable nematic liquid crystal (LC) was adopted as a resist for our newly developed nanoimprinting lithography process. Liquid crystal molecules were self-aligned during imprinting process without precoated alignment layer. The large patterned area was able to achieve 4x4 cm(2) at very low impriting pressure, 1.5 bar. The optical anisotropic was verified through polarized optical microscopy and the retardation was measured by polarized ultraviolet/visible spectrometer. The micrograted LC films prepared by this novel method offer the potential applications for a LC alignment layer within LC cells, as well as preparation of optical anisotropic films. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.