Molecular structure and pretilt control of photodimerized-monolayers (PDML)

We have studied the alignment of nematic liquid crystals on photo-sensitive chemisorbed monolayers. Surface modification and a single UV exposure at normal incidence resulted in photo-dimerized monolayers. A uniform, planar alignment of liquid crystals is realized on these surfaces. Chemical modification of the photosensitive chromophores of the monolayer allow fine-tuning of the pretilt. For a given alignment layer, there is a good correlation between the value of the pretilt and the polar properties of the liquid crystal used. Furthermore, the value of the pretilt depends on the chemical functionality at the outermost portion of the photo-alignment layer.