公开(公告)号：WO1979001025A1

公开(公告)日：1979-11-29

申请号：PCT/US1979000286

申请日：1979-05-01

Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECHN

Inventor： MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECHN ,  SMITH H ,  SHAVER D ,  FLANDERS D

IPC: B05D01/32

CPC classification number: G02F1/13439 ,  G02F1/133528 ,  G02F1/13378 ,  G02F2001/133765 ,  Y10S428/91 ,  Y10S428/913 ,  Y10T428/1059 ,  Y10T428/2462 ,  Y10T428/24851 ,  Y10T428/24868 ,  Y10T428/24917 ,  Y10T428/24926 ,  Y10T428/261

Abstract: Ordered liquids, or mesophases, are aligned by forming a structure on a substrate surface using a planar process of formation, the surface structure having a predetermined pattern, and applying a mesophase to the surface to substantially orient the molecules of the mesophase in accordance with the predetermined pattern. A liquid crystal display device can be made in which, in a preferred embodiment, the liquid crystal (29) is confined between two substrates (20 and 21) having oppositely disposed surfaces on which selected patterns of surface structures have been formed. The surface structures can be grating structures (25 and 26) made of conductive material (23 and 24), such as metal, which structures act to align the liquid crystal in accordance with the selected patterns, to polarize light passing through the surface structures, and to provide electrical contacts so that an electric signal applied thereto can produce an electrical field in the region between the substrate surface structures.