Abstract
Blending effects for generating a pretilt angle in nematic liquid crystal (NLC) with negative dielectric anisotropy on the blended polyimide (PI) of homeotropic and homogeneous alignment surface were studied. Also, we investigated the EO performances for the advanced VA- $\pi$ cell using this homeotropic blended PI surface. A many decrease of tilt angle on the polymer surface to blend homeotropic PI and homogeneous PI with side chain type was measured, and the tilt angle decreased as blended ratio and rubbing strength increase. However, a small decrease of tilt angle on the polymer surface to blend homeotropic PI and homogeneous PI with main chain type was measured. The blended effects for generating a pretilt angle were clearly observed, and the many decrease of tilt angle can be achieved by using the blended PI surface. The electro-optical (EO) characteristics using the advanced VA- $\pi$ cell using the homeotropic blended PI surface than that of conventional VA cell can be improved. We suggest that the developed advanced VA-$\pi$ cell on a homeotropic blended PI surface is a promising technique for the achievement of a fast response time, and a high contrast ratio.
