An orientation layer for liquid crystal displays and a method for its construction is provided. Ultrasonic waves are used to create a flat, stationary wave field which is used to direct the deposition of material in order form parallel ridges and associated grooves on an orientation layer in order to orient the liquid crystals. Where the ridges are composed of a conductive or dichroitic material and the grooves have an interval which approximately corresponds to one half of the wavelength of the illuminating light, the orientation layer both orients the liquid crystals and functions as a grid polarizer.