Ion-beam-irradiated solution-derived tin oxide films for liquid crystal orientation

Abstract

We present the alignment characteristics of liquid crystal (LC) molecules on solution-derived tin(IV) oxide (SnO₂) films. Solution processing was used in place of the sputtering method to deposit SnO₂ films as LC alignment layers. The LC molecules on the SnO₂ surfaces could be homogeneously and uniformly aligned by ion-beam (IB) irradiation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated surface reformation of the SnO₂ films resulting from annealing and that IB irradiation affects the uniform LC orientation. Fast response times of twisted nematic cells constructed with IB-irradiated SnO₂ films were observed, which indicates that the proposed IB-irradiated solution-derived SnO₂ films have considerable potential for use in the production of advanced LC displays.