Influence of the two-directionally-rubbed substrate on the alignment of liquid crystals

The alignment of liquid crystals (LCs) on a two-directionally-rubbed substrate is investigated. The two-directionally-rubbed substrate distorts and frustrates the orientation of the LCs next to it, and hence influences the order parameter of the LC cell. Experimental findings indicate that the rubbing strengths in the different rubbing directions and the cell thickness significantly affect the order parameter, and hence affect the electro-optical response of the LC cell.