A Birefringent and Transparent Electrical Conductor |
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| Authors: | Kenneth D. Harris Andy C. van Popta Jeremy C. Sit Dirk J. Broer Michael J. Brett |
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| Affiliation: | 1. NRC National Institute for Nanotechnology, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M9 (Canada);2. University of Alberta, Department of Electrical Engineering, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2V4 (Canada);3. Philips Research Laboratories, High Tech Campus 4, Eindhoven, 5656AE (The Netherlands);4. Department of Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600MB (The Netherlands);5. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2V4 (Canada) |
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| Abstract: | We have developed a range of thin film coatings that are transparent in the visible, electrically conducting, adjustably birefringent and capable of aligning calamitic liquid crystals. The coatings were fabricated from indium tin oxide by oblique or glancing angle deposition, and a wide range of microstructures such as helices, chevrons, uniaxial posts and biaxial slabs were produced. Under many deposition conditions, these structures showed optical transmittance and electrical conductivity comparable to standard indium tin oxide, yet a strong form birefringence (Δn > 0.07 at 589 nm) was also measured. In addition, many coatings were found to be capable of aligning liquid crystals along a common director, leading us to conclude that the technology may be useful in liquid crystal displays and other lightwave applications. |
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| Keywords: | birefringent films glancing angle deposition liquid crystal alignment layers liquid crystal displays transparent conducting oxides |
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