Patent ID: 6559919
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A method of controlling a partial switching behaviour of a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal device having two defined switching states and a layer of ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal material contacted by at least one alignment layer, the method comprising the steps of:(a) depositing on a substrate at least two different alignment solutions having different alignment characteristics relative to the liquid crystal material, (b) bringing together the solutions to form areas of the alignment layer having different alignment characteristics in contact with the liquid crystal material, (c) applying an electric field to the liquid crystal material to effect switching of at least some of the liquid crystal material into a partial switching state intermediate the two defined switching states, and (d) controlling the partial switching behaviour of the liquid crystal material by means of the areas of the alignment layer having different alignment characteristics which serve to control switching of molecules of the liquid crystal material between different alignment states.