Lamellar and Circular Constructs Containing Self-Aligned Liquid Crystals

Abstract

Holography and lithography allow realization of curved periodic microstructures comprising self-aligned liquid crystal (LC)s. The fabrication concept is based on phase separation of mixture of a photocurable polymer and a LC. Exploitation of an interference pattern allows realization of a periodic nano/microcomposite holographic grating made of slices of almost pure polymer alternating with well-aligned channels of LC. By means of a “Fresnel like” curing pattern, curved polymeric slices can impose radial alignment of nematic LCs. The distinctive features of the periodic structures enable high-quality and self-alignment of ordered fluids without the need for surface chemistry or functionalization.