Ebook: Surfaces and Interfaces of Liquid Crystals

This overview of the state of the art of our understanding of the liquid crystal-surface interactions on a molecular level describes recent research into the surface and interface properties of the substrate-liquid crystal interface. These properties play an essential role in the operation of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and other LC devices, and every LC electro-optic device is based on the controllable anchoring of LC molecules on a (polymer coated) solid. The microscopic interaction between a macromolecule (liquid crystal, polymer) and a wall is still poorly understood. This book reports on the results of collaboration between several European Laboratories to study the liquid crystal interfaces with novel, surface and interface-sensitive experimental techniques, such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Linear and Nonlinear Optical Microscopy and (Dynamic) Light Scattering (DLS). These experimental techniques were complemented with computer simulations and supra molecular chemistry methods to develop controllable polymeric surfaces.

---

 

This overview of the state of the art of our understanding of the liquid crystal-surface interactions on a molecular level describes recent research into the surface and interface properties of the substrate-liquid crystal interface. These properties play an essential role in the operation of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and other LC devices, and every LC electro-optic device is based on the controllable anchoring of LC molecules on a (polymer coated) solid. The microscopic interaction between a macromolecule (liquid crystal, polymer) and a wall is still poorly understood. This book reports on the results of collaboration between several European Laboratories to study the liquid crystal interfaces with novel, surface and interface-sensitive experimental techniques, such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Linear and Nonlinear Optical Microscopy and (Dynamic) Light Scattering (DLS). These experimental techniques were complemented with computer simulations and supra molecular chemistry methods to develop controllable polymeric surfaces.

---

 

This overview of the state of the art of our understanding of the liquid crystal-surface interactions on a molecular level describes recent research into the surface and interface properties of the substrate-liquid crystal interface. These properties play an essential role in the operation of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and other LC devices, and every LC electro-optic device is based on the controllable anchoring of LC molecules on a (polymer coated) solid. The microscopic interaction between a macromolecule (liquid crystal, polymer) and a wall is still poorly understood. This book reports on the results of collaboration between several European Laboratories to study the liquid crystal interfaces with novel, surface and interface-sensitive experimental techniques, such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Linear and Nonlinear Optical Microscopy and (Dynamic) Light Scattering (DLS). These experimental techniques were complemented with computer simulations and supra molecular chemistry methods to develop controllable polymeric surfaces.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XIII
Prologue....Pages 1-2
Introduction....Pages 3-16
Surface-Induced Order Detected by Deuteron Nuclear Magnetic Resonance....Pages 17-40
Interfacial and Surface Forces in Nematics and Smectics....Pages 41-81
Linear Optics of Liquid Crystal Interfaces....Pages 83-109
Solid-Liquid Crystal Interfaces Probed by Optical Second-Harmonic Generation....Pages 111-137
Liquid Crystal Alignment on Surfaces with Orientational Molecular Order: A Microscopic Model Derived from Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy....Pages 139-173
Scanning Probe Microscopy Studies of Liquid Crystal Interfaces....Pages 175-210
Introduction to Micro- and Macroscopic Descriptions of Nematic Liquid Crystalline Films: Structural and Fluctuation Forces....Pages 211-247
Applications....Pages 249-279
Epilogue....Pages 281-282
Back Matter....Pages 283-296

---

 

This overview of the state of the art of our understanding of the liquid crystal-surface interactions on a molecular level describes recent research into the surface and interface properties of the substrate-liquid crystal interface. These properties play an essential role in the operation of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and other LC devices, and every LC electro-optic device is based on the controllable anchoring of LC molecules on a (polymer coated) solid. The microscopic interaction between a macromolecule (liquid crystal, polymer) and a wall is still poorly understood. This book reports on the results of collaboration between several European Laboratories to study the liquid crystal interfaces with novel, surface and interface-sensitive experimental techniques, such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Linear and Nonlinear Optical Microscopy and (Dynamic) Light Scattering (DLS). These experimental techniques were complemented with computer simulations and supra molecular chemistry methods to develop controllable polymeric surfaces.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XIII
Prologue....Pages 1-2
Introduction....Pages 3-16
Surface-Induced Order Detected by Deuteron Nuclear Magnetic Resonance....Pages 17-40
Interfacial and Surface Forces in Nematics and Smectics....Pages 41-81
Linear Optics of Liquid Crystal Interfaces....Pages 83-109
Solid-Liquid Crystal Interfaces Probed by Optical Second-Harmonic Generation....Pages 111-137
Liquid Crystal Alignment on Surfaces with Orientational Molecular Order: A Microscopic Model Derived from Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy....Pages 139-173
Scanning Probe Microscopy Studies of Liquid Crystal Interfaces....Pages 175-210
Introduction to Micro- and Macroscopic Descriptions of Nematic Liquid Crystalline Films: Structural and Fluctuation Forces....Pages 211-247
Applications....Pages 249-279
Epilogue....Pages 281-282
Back Matter....Pages 283-296
....